By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : Hamas has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to close down all border crossings with the Gaza Strip, describing this as a violation of the Egyptian-sponsored truce.
“Closing down the crossings is an indication of Israel’s bad intentions,” said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zahri in a statement Wednesday.
“Hamas calls on all relevant parties to pressure Israel into committing to the agreement and guaranteeing its continuation,” he said, alluding to the truce sponsored by Egypt, which had come into effect in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.
According to the statement, Israeli troops fired at Palestinian farmers in Khan Younes Wednesday morning in response to the Palestinian missiles that had been launched at the southern regions of the Jewish state Tuesday.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak ordered the shut-down of all border crossings with the Gaza Strip Tuesday night, saying that this decision wass in response to “the Palestinian missile attack on southern Israel, injuring four people.”
The Israeli radio reported Wednesday morning that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held urgent talks Tuesday night with Barak to decide on the response to this attack, which was claimed by the Islamic Jihad Movement.