WORLD> Middle East
Israel shuts down Gaza commercial crossings
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-12 08:05

GAZA -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Monday ordered to shut down Gaza commercial crossings on the borders with Israel after Palestinian militants fired a makeshift rocket to the country, Israeli Radio reported.

The Arabic service reported that Barak ordered the Israeli army to close three Gaza commercial and fuels crossings on the border with Israel following a rocket attack on southern Israel.

On Monday afternoon, unknown Palestinian militants fired a homemade rocket from northern Gaza at the southern Israeli town of Sderot. No injuries or damages were reported.

No one claimed responsibility for Monday's rocket attack. On Saturday, three rockets were fired at southern Israel, causing severe damages to Israeli greenhouses.

An Egyptian-brokered six-month truce between Israel and Gaza armed groups came into effect on June 19 in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

According to the unwritten truce agreement, Gaza militants stop homemade rockets attacks from Gaza at Israeli towns and villages, while Israel halts air and ground attacks and eases restrictions imposed on Gaza.

Israel has imposed a tightened blockade on Gaza Strip and only allowed humanitarian aid since Hamas movement took control of the enclave last summer and routed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas security forces.