Peretz to open Karni crossing only if security situation allows

[Englander]

By Aluf Benn

The Karni crossing point, the Gaza Strip's economic lifeline, is for all intents and purposes closed to the passage of Palestinian goods and is functioning only partially as a crossing point for Israeli supplies to the Strip, mainly for humanitarian purposes. In an assessment of the situation over the weekend, Defense Minister Amir Peretz adopted the line of his predecessor, Shaul Mofaz, saying he would reopen Karni according to the security situation.

Activity at Karni has slowed down markedly since January when Israel closed it on the grounds that there were warnings of terrorist attacks. A few weeks ago, Palestinian police stopped a booby-trapped car loaded with hundreds of kilos of explosives designed to explode at the crossing.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has ordered that the crossing point be kept open, and closed only when there are clear indications of danger. The former defense minister, Shaul Mofaz, had instructed that Karni be reopened gradually, in line with the security situation, an approach Peretz has said he will adopt. It appears, however, that Peretz will have to reassess the situation soon.

The Peres Center for Peace this week circulated a report to the relevant ministers stating that "the closure of the Karni crossing point is leading to economic and humanitarian collapse in the Gaza Strip," as well as financial ruin to Israeli firms involved with suppliers from the Strip "and to the collapse of economic relations between the two sides."

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