By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered on Wednesday to seal all the crossings on the border of Gaza Strip for goods transfer in response to Tuesday’s Qassam rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.
The spokeswoman of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told Xinhua that the Sufa crossing, the Nahal Oz fuel terminal, the Karni crossing and the Kerem Shalom crossing for the transfer of food, medicine and humanitarian equipment were closed since early Wednesday morning. The Erez crossing in northern Gaza Strip keeps open for the passage of Palestinians into Israel for humanitarian treatment.
It was unclear when the transfer of goods into Gaza would be resumed, the spokeswoman added.
A military source was quoted by the website of local daily Yedioth Ahronoth as saying that “we are prepared for any scenario and development. This could lead to an escalation within hours, and we will know how to respond.”
The IDF refrained from responding to the Qassam attack, but security officials stressed that the army would not hesitate to act against rocket attacks at real time.
Three Qassam rockets fired Tuesday afternoon from Gaza Strip landed in the Sderot area, the second breach of ceasefire since it went into effect last week.
Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for firing the Qassam rockets.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert responded in a statement that the Qassam fire was “a clear violation of the ceasefire understandings” and vowed to consider the counter measures at its disposal.