Israel announced Sunday, February 25, that it has allowed a resumption of traffic throughout the Gaza Strip after cutting the north of the territory from its southern part two days ago.
The army said in a statement that its "decision was cancelled due to increasing humanitarian cases and requests for safe passage between the two parts."
On Monday, the army closed down the main road that connects the Karni crossing point into Israel with the Mediterranean coast, cutting off the northern Gaza Strip from the south.
The move followed the explosion of two bombs and mortar fire near Jewish settlements. In its statement, the army said it placed responsibility for the attacks on Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority.
The Israeli army "will respond in any way it sees fit to secure the safety of Israeli civilians and soldiers," it said. — (AFP, Jerusalem)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
