Israel closes Gaza border crossings
Updated: 2008-01-18 20:03
Dror said Gazans had enough food that no one would go hungry and assured "there will not be a humanitarian crisis in Gaza."
The increasing violence has clouded Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, resumed after a Mideast conference in November sponsored by US President Bush. The Israeli operations have drawn condemnations from moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who rules from the West Bank and is Israel's partner in the peace negotiations.
The United Nations condemned Israel's order.
"This can only lead to the deterioration of an already dire situation," said Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for UNRWA, the UN agency in charge of Palestinian refugees. Closing the crossings "can only lead to the further radicalization of a depressed and demoralized people."
UNRWA's leading official in Gaza, John Ging, said Israel had informed his office that the crossings would be closed for a few days. On a regularly working day an average of 120 trucks of food and humanitarian supplies enter Gaza, Ging said.
Dror said about 9,000 cows have been allowed into Gaza in the past two months, enough for several weeks even if meat supplies are cut off.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said Israel's decision was "part of the ongoing Israeli escalation and aggression policy against our people."
At least 30 Palestinians have been killed since Tuesday, mostly armed militants.
Hamas and other groups have fired more than 150 rockets and mortars since Tuesday, according to the Israeli military. The strikes caused no serious injuries, but have further traumatized Israeli residents who have been living with daily barrages for years.
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