Israel closes Nahal Oz Crossing following terror attack

Depot is Gaza Strip's sole source of fuel; Foreign Ministry: Hamas "harming the civilian infrastructure that enables normal life in Gaza."

By JPOST.COM STAFF, AP
nahal oz 224 (photo credit: Channel 10)
nahal oz 224
(photo credit: Channel 10)
Israel temporarily closed the Nahal Oz depot, which supplies fuel to the Gaza Strip, on Thursday, a day after four Palestinian terrorists infiltrated the crossing and shot dead two civilian workers. "We will choose the time and the place to respond. The blame lies on Hamas as the responsible authority there," Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilna'i told Army Radio. Two of the terrorists were killed by the IDF at the terminal, and at least two others fled back to Gaza. In a swift response, the military dispatched aircraft, which bombed a car, killing two additional terrorists who were involved in the attack. Palestinians said that at least four more people, including children, were killed by the bombings. "Hamas is responsible for the attack and will bear the consequences when the time comes," Barak said in a phone conversation with visiting Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hours after the attack. "Hamas is in charge of the Gaza Strip and is responsible for every terror attack that originates there, including the one against the crossing." "Israel considers the ruling Hamas in the Gaza Strip the sole party responsible for today's terror attack at the Nahal Oz Terminal. Hamas bears responsibility and will also bear the consequences," the Foreign Ministry announced. "This terror attack proves once more that not only do the terrorists in the Gaza Strip target Israelis, but they also try to harm the civilian infrastructure that enables normal life in Gaza," the statement continued. "Anyone with eyes can see that the objective of the terrorists is to kill as many Israelis as possible and undermine any expression of coexistence between Israel and Palestinians." Elie Leshem and Yaakov Katz contributed to this report