Gaza crossings opened despite court case

by Dave Keating | June 23, 2008 at 01:49 am | 97 views | add comment | 0 recommendations

Palestinians bulldozer Gaza Egypt border crossing part_1

Palestinians bulldozer Gaza Egypt border crossing part_2

Israel's blockade of the Gaza strip is to be ended as planned, according to the Israeli government. However only the most basic amount of humanitarian aid is being let in at present, until the High Court rules on a petition against opening the Gaza crossing points.

Israel has opened Gaza's crossings as its Supreme Court hears a case meant to close them.

The family of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas had petitioned the court on Sunday to keep the crossings closed. They're afraid he'll be taken out of Gaza to Egypt through a passage there. The family says government officials told them Israel's blockade of Gaza would not be lifted until he was freed.

The restrictions at most crossings were partially lifted Sunday as part of a cease-fire with Hamas and they were reopened on Monday. The year-long blockade meant to stop militant rocket fire on Israel has prompted fuel and transportation shortages in the territory of 1.4 million Palestinians.

The court was scheduled to decide on the case at noon local time Monday.