IDF reopens Karni goods crossing

Full transfer of goods allowed; navy lifts restrictions on Gazan fishermen.

By ARIEH O'SULLIVAN
idf leave karni 298 88 (photo credit: AP [file])
idf leave karni 298 88
(photo credit: AP [file])
The IDF opened the Karni goods crossing in the northern Gaza Strip and lifted restrictions on Gazan fisherman Sunday morning. The Karni crossing had been closed since September 24th, part of the general closure clamped down on the territories in light of the Kassam rockets that were fired into the Negev. During the whole period of closure, humanitarian aid was allowed to go through the Sufar crossing. Now the full transfer of goods will be allowed through the Karni crossing. Responding to the crossing's reopening, OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Dan Harel told The Jerusalem Post, "the State of Israel has a great interest in the welfare of the residents of Gaza." "It's our opinion that as their economic situation improves, it will undermine the legs of terror, " he continued. Additionally, the Navy lifted restrictions it placed on Gazan fisherman that limited their fishing zone to one nautical mile from the Gaza coast. Now the fishermen are allowed to travel up to 12 nautical miles from the coast in order to reach more bountiful sections of the seabed.