GAZA, September 5, 2018 (WAFA) – Israel shut down on Wednesday Erez/Beit Hanoun crossing with Gaza until further notice claiming the decision was made following a protest by Palestinians on the Gaza side of the border the day before.

Israel informed the Palestinian District Coordinating Office of its decision to close the crossing used only for passage of individuals, such as staff of humanitarian agencies and patients seeking treatment in hospitals outside the Gaza Strip, mainly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Palestinians protested on Tuesday near the crossing against American and Israeli attempts to shut down the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) by halting all aid to the humanitarian organization.

The Israelis said they would close all border crossings and stop entry of goods into Gaza in a collective punishment step if calm is  not observed along the Gaza border with Israel. The last time Erez was closed was last month and it was shut down for three weeks.

M.K.