PA slams Israeli demolition of Gaza crossing

The Palestinian Authority condemned Tuesday Israel's move to demolish a closed Gaza crossing, warning it would tighten the blockade on the coastal enclave. Israeli radio station Rishet Bet reported Monday that huge explosions were heard as Israeli forces took down buildings at the Karni crossing, after the army warned Palestinian factions were planning to use to passway to launch attacks on Israel. At its weekly cabinet meeting, the government said the levelling on Gaza's main commercial crossing, which was closed by Israel in 2007, was a "illegal, unilateral move." The cabinet also expressed support for the PLO's decision to complain to the United Nations Security Council and the Arab League about Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. An Israeli ministry issued tenders to build 300 new homes in Jewish-only settlements in the West Bank on Tuesday, Israeli media reported. All settlement on occupied land is prohibited by international law, and Palestinian officials say they cannot enter peace talks with Israel while it builds on land necessary for a viable Palestinian state.