Israel, Palestinians extend operations at Karni

Operations at the Karni cargo crossing have been extended by at least five hours a day for a trial period following an Israeli-Palestinian agreement to expand traffic at the vital passage, officials said Wednesday. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has promised Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to ease restrictions on the Palestinians. Speaking at the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Olmert said operating hours already have been expanded until 11 p.m.