Israel closes main Gaza crossing because of shooting

Israel closed its main cargo crossing with the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after shots were fired on the Palestinian side of the passage, officials on both sides said.

Photo: Israel closes main Gaza crossing because of shooting

Palestinian officials at the Karni crossing said Israel shut down operations there after shots were fired on the Palestinian side.

The Israeli army confirmed shots were fired at Karni, but said it was not immediately clear if anyone was injured.

The Israeli border authority said it shut the crossing on order of Israeli defense officials, and added it did not know of any shooting on the Israeli side.

Israel has closed the crossing several times this year on warnings of Palestinian militants attacks and a Feb. 21 explosion there. The closings have caused economic hardship in Gaza, which is already devastated by more than five years of fighting with Israel, reports the AP.

I.L.