Israel’s War Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Thursday announced that Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing north of the Gaza Strip will remain closed until next Thursday.
Lieberman said that the closure came as a punishment over the protests that flared up near Beit Hanoun crossing on Monday.
“I have decided that Erez crossing will remain closed until next Thursday” Lieberman said in a recorded message addressed to Gazans through an Israeli army website.
Israeli occupation authorities on Tuesday closed Beit Hanoun crossing after dozens of Palestinians took part in a mass demonstration near the site against Israeli violations.
Israel over the past few years has completely closed four commercial crossings into the Gaza Strip and left only two crossings partially opened: Erez for the travel of Palestinian citizens and Karam Abu Salem for the entry of goods.
About two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been living under a crippling blockade imposed by Israel since 2006.
