'Fall of Rafiah' May Hamper Israeli Closures
(IsraelNN.com) The almost total destruction of the 200-yard barrier separating the Egyptian and Gaza sides of Rafiah poses a problem for Israel if it continues to close Gaza crossings under Israeli supervision, Reuters News Agency reported. The United Nations has estimated than approximately 350,000 people have flocked into the Egyptian side of Rafiah to buy supplies after terrorists virtually destroyed the barrier, which Israel built as part of the operation to expel Jews from communities in the Gaza region.
Israel has shut the other crossings because of continuing Kassam rocket attacks on the Negev as far north as Ashkelon, where rockets have exploded dangerously close to strategic sites. The international criticism of Israel for closing the crossings and the ensuing breakthrough of the Rafiah barrier may make it difficult for Israel to keep the crossings closed, Reuters stated.
Israel also is concerned that the fall of the Rafiah barrier will allow terrorists to freely bring more advanced weapons and explosives into Gaza, where Hamas already has stockpiled nearly 100 tons of explosives and a large arsenal of anti-aircraft missiles and long-range rockets.
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