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Israel Re-Opens Commercial Border Crossing With Gaza


Israeli authorities re-opened a commercial border crossing with the Gaza Strip Sunday following an end to Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel.

An Israeli military spokesman said Israel was allowing about 80 truckloads of goods to enter Gaza Sunday through the Sufa crossing.

Israeli authorities closed Sufa and other crossings on Wednesday, a day after Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza fired several rockets at Israel.

The rocket salvo strained an Egyptian-brokered truce between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers that took effect on June 19.

Another Gaza militant faction, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades fired a rocket into Israel on Thursday. Hamas police arrested the group's spokesman, Abu Qusai Sunday after Hamas warned it would take action against anyone who breaks the truce.

In another development, Israeli troops shot and killed a 17-year-old Palestinian in the West Bank town of Tubas early Sunday. Israel's military said the Palestinian had attacked an Israeli patrol with firebombs.

Israel re-opened its Nahal Oz fuel terminal with Gaza on Friday, allowing fuel to reach the territory's sole power station. Israeli officials have not said when they will re-open a second commercial crossing with Gaza, known as Karni.

Israel agreed to gradually permit more commercial trucks to enter Gaza under the terms of the cease-fire. Israel allowed about 60 trucks a day to pass through Sufa before the truce.

Islamic Jihad said its rocket attack on Israel was in retaliation for Israeli troops killing one of its commanders in the West Bank, which is not covered by the truce.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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