Erez Crossing Is Closed Today
Exceptions will be made in life-saving situations only

Since the start of Operation Protective Edge hundreds of civilians, injured
and sick patients have been transferred through the Erez Crossing by the
Crossings Point Authority (CPA) of the Ministry of Defense as part of its
humanitarian assistance efforts. Today, Sunday, 24 August 2014, injured
civilians and their escorts passed the crossing to seek medical aid; in
total 50 people were supposed to cross today.

Approximately an hour ago a number of mortars were fired at the crossing;
direct and continuous fire purposely aimed at the crossing. As a result of
the fire, a number of Israelis that came to provide humanitarian assistance
were injured. As a result of the fire, the Director of the Crossings Point
Authority of the Ministry of Defense, Kamil Abu Rokan, and the Coordinator
of the Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) General Yoav
Mordehai, have decided to close today the Erez Crossing to traffic, except
for life-saving action.

Crossings Point Authority of the Ministry of Defense:
Throughout the entire operation, the staff of the Crossing Points Authority
has been working around the clock to provide humanitarian assistance to the
residents of the Gaza Strip, in part by facilitating the crossing of
hundreds of people to hospitals in Israel through the Erez Crossing, and the
transfer of more than 5,000 tons of medical equipment through the Kerem
Shalom Crossing. Hamas has hurt the transfer of patients from the Gaza
Strip and the provision of medical aid.

For more information:
dover@mod.gov.il