Israel To Reopen Gaza Border Crossings

Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) -- Israeli officials opened border crossings at the Gaza Strip Sunday, allowing for much needed supplies to go into the territory and for those who need medical attention to go into Israel for treatment.

The borders had been closed since Thursday, when Palestinian rockets were launched into Israel, violating an agreed upon cease fire rule that was brokered by Egyptian leaders on June 19. Since then, on three separate occasions it was reported that Hamas backed rebels broke the truce, causing temporary border closings.

Israeli officials reportedly said that the Erez crossing, The Sufa crossing, and the Nahal Oz fuel depot would be opened. The openings will give Palestinians access to food, cement, and gasoline supplies, as well as to medical personnel.

The people living in the Gaza Strip have struggled to meet basic needs in the last couple of years due to clashing governments within Palestine, between President Mahmud Abbas and the the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, who controls the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the Israeli government, who refused to acknowledge Hamas as a legitimate power.

These conflicts have resulted in a general lock-down of the residents of the Gaza Strip, and reports say people have had to go for long periods of time with out food, water, health care and electricity.