Israeli reopens commercial crossing with Gaza

Israel fully reopened its commercial crossing with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Wednesday after a week or partial closure, a Palestinian official said. The official said 350 truckloads of goods and supplies were allowed to enter into Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing, the only commercial terminal between Israel and Gaza. Fuel supplies for Gaza's sole power plant will be delivered through the crossing later in the day. Also four truckloads of tomatoes, flowers and herbs have been exported to Europe through the crossing. Israel closed the crossing a week ago after Gaza militants fired a volley of missiles into southern Israel. Militants said the rocket attacks were response to the Israeli killing earlier of three Islamic Jihad activists. The checkpoint was partly reopened on Sunday for the entry of fuel for the power station in Gaza. Israel has imposed economic and movement restrictions on the Gaza Strip since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Kerem Shalom Crossing is now the only entrance of basic supplies into Gaza, as Egypt has shut down hundreds of smuggling tunnels under its border with Gaza that were used to bring in fuel and other supplies. Israel has regularly shut down the crossing in response to rocket attacks by Gaza militants.