The cargo crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, which was shuttered last week after Israeli troops shot three protesters, remains closed today despite Israeli plans to reopen it, and military officials say it is Hamas’ doing.
The crossing had been controlled by the Palestinian Authority, despite the PA having virtually no control over the strip, and Hamas forced the contractor operating it on behalf of the PA to stop, with allegations of price gouging and striking truck drivers apparently prompting the move.
The company was informed by Hamas that they were being “relieved” of the crossing and they informed Israel they weren’t showing up for Monday’s reopening, keeping the 70 trucks on the Israeli side waiting on the border.
It’s unclear how long the crossing will remain closed, but it comes in the wake of Hamas announcing new exit restrictions on Gaza civilians looking to travel to Israel or the West Bank, so this could be part of a broader closing of the strip to the outside world.