Following an alleged attempt to smuggle explosives, Israel’s army commander ordered on Monday to suspend all imports from Gaza, according to a statement from the army and defense ministry.
At the Kerem Shalom gate, “many kilograms of high quality explosives, hidden within a clothing delivery carried by three trucks” were discovered by officers from the defense ministry, which oversees crossings between Israel and the Palestinian enclave, according to the statement.
With consent from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi issued an order to stop “commercial deliveries from Gaza to Israel, allowing security adjustments to be made at the crossing.”
The statement went on, “Deliveries will resume in accordance with subsequent situation assessments.”
According to the statement, Israel “will not permit terrorist groups to exploit civilian and humanitarian facilities for terrorist activities.”
Since the Islamist organization Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, Israel has maintained a crushing embargo on the region.
The sole port of entry for goods between the enclave and Israel is the Kerem Shalom crossing.
The event on Monday occurs in the midst of intense hostilities in the West Bank occupation.
At least 225 Palestinians have died as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict’s escalating violence so far this year.
As to an AFP count derived from official sources on both sides, there have been at least 32 Israeli deaths along with those of a Ukrainian and an Italian.
They consist of three members of the Arab minority on the Israeli side and fighters and civilians from the Palestinian side.
