By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Blaming the Palestinian Authority for failing to act against a planned terror attack, Israel shut down the Karni goods crossing in northern Gaza indefinitely on Sunday.
"Several days ago we received solid information that terrorists were preparing to attack Israelis working there," a security official said. The official blamed the Palestinian Authority for failing to arrest the terrorists planning the attack, noting that several days ago Israel channeled a request to them.
The crossing will remain closed until the security situation improved, the officials said, noting that there were no threats against the Erez and Sufa crossings in Gaza.
The chaos and anarchy that prevails in the PA-controlled areas was taken advantage of by terror groups to prepare and plot attacks against Israel, the officials said.
"They have only themselves to blame, and until they act and the threat is lifted, no goods will enter or exit Gaza," the official said.
Ever since the outbreak of the Aksa intifada more than five years ago, terrorists have launched a number of attacks at the Gaza crossings, considered to be the symbol of coexistence between Israel and the Palestinians.
Despite the situation, Israel announced the easing of restrictions on the Palestinian civilian population not involved in terror, and permitted 10,000 Palestinian laborers from the West Bank to enter Israel for work on Sunday morning. In addition, 1,350 workers of the various international relief organizations were permitted to enter Israel for work, and 350 were permitted to enter Gaza. Permits were also granted to 300 Palestinians to work in east Jerusalem.