(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) Israel’s defence minister has announced it will reopen the main cargo crossing with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday if the relative calm of recent days continues.
Avigdor Lieberman also said the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast would once more be extended to 17km (9 nautical miles).
Israel shut the Kerem Shalom crossing for all but humanitarian deliveries five weeks ago in response to attacks by Palestinians along the border.
Rights groups said the move amounted to illegal collective punishment.
Kerem Shalom is the main lifeline for the 2 million people living in Gaza, and the territory’s economy is almost entirely dependent on it.
