GAZA, March 2, 2006, (WAFA)-Israel said that it will not reopen al-Muntar Commercial Crossing (Karni), east of the Gaza City, closed since February 22, 2006.... Borders and Crossings General Director, Salim Abu Saffiya told reporters Thursday that the Israeli side has informed the Palestinian side that Al-Muntar crossing, which is the corner stone for the national economy in the Gaza Strip, will not be reopened, for security reasons.... Israel has repeatedly closed this crossing, the latest of which was on January 15, 2006 and reopened on February 5, 2006. It is the only commercial crossing connecting the Gaza Strip with the West Bank, Israel and the outside world.... Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) considered the closure of al-Muntar crossing as "collective punishment" and calls for reopening it, asserting that this act is a violation of International Humanitarian Law.... M.H. (12:42 P) (10:42 GMT)