  Israel reopens border crossing with Gaza, officials say April 12, 2013 - 15:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel reopened a goods crossing into the Gaza Strip on Friday, April 12, officials said, after closing it several days earlier in response to rocket fire from the besieged Palestinian enclave, AFP reported. "Kerem Shalom crossing was reopened this morning," said Guy Inbar, spokesman for the Israeli defense ministry unit responsible for all civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories. The crossing "doesn't normally function on Friday but we opened it especially to allow the transport of goods blocked since its closure on Monday," he added. A rocket fired from Gaza crashed into southern Israel on Sunday, as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived for talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. It struck an uninhabited part of the Negev desert, causing no damage or casualties. The UN expressed "serious concern" on Wednesday at the impact of Israeli restrictions on the transfer of goods to civilian populations, particularly the Kerem Shalom closure. "These measures are resulting in the depletion of... essential supplies, including basic foodstuffs and cooking gas, and undermine the livelihoods and rights of many vulnerable Gazan families," UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Palestinian territories James W Rawley said in a statement. There was no immediate claim for Sunday's rocket, but hardline Salafist militants in Gaza claimed similar attacks the previous week, which were met with Israeli air strikes that caused no damage or casualties. Rockets were fired at Israel during a visit to the region by U.S. President Barack Obama in March.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
