Beit Hanoun crossing closed after rocket fire from Gaza

The Israeli authorities announced the closure of the Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint, starting from Sunday, in front of the estimated twelve thousand Palestinian workers and merchants, until further notice, in response to the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip, according to what was announced by the Coordinator of Israeli Government Activities, Ghassan Alyan, after Security deliberations session, held by IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi.

The Israeli authorities noted that the decision to reopen the checkpoint will be taken based on a subsequent assessment of the situation in the Strip. Erez is the only crossing for individuals between the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories, in light of the Israeli siege imposed on the Strip for more than 15 years.

Its closure is a violation of previous understandings between Israel and the Palestinian factions, while the daily damages resulting from its closure are estimated at more than three million shekels.