Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 16, 2004
Israeli army shuts down Gaza Strip
The Israeli army closed off the Gaza Strip on Thursday after a Palestinian woman carried out a suicide bombing, killing four Israelis at a Gaza crossing.
The Israeli army closed off the Gaza Strip on Thursday after a Palestinian woman carried out a suicide bombing, killing four Israelis at a Gaza crossing.
"In line with a political decision and in view of the situation, the whole of the Gaza Strip has been totally sealed off," the Israeli military said in a statement.
The impoverished Gaza Strip, whose major residents are Palestinians, depends on jobs in Israel for much of its income.
Israeli soldiers routinely shut own the Gaza Strip as a method of strengthening security and in retaliation for major Palestinian attacks.
"Movement (to and from Israel) will be authorized for humanitarian cases, in coordination with (Israeli-Palestinian) liaison offices," the Israeli statement said.
The blockage of the strip followed Wednesday morning's suicide bombing that killed four Israelis and wounded 10 others at the Erez border crossing between Israel and northern Gaza Strip. The 22-year-old Palestinian suicide bomber, Reem Raiyshi, was a mother oftwo small children.
The Israeli army also shut down the Israel-owned Erez industrial park, where 6,000 Palestinians earn their bread.