Israel Tightens Blockade on Gaza

Hamas has condemned an Israeli decision to seal off the Karam Abu Salem commercial border crossing, the primary passageway that transfers necessities to residents of the besieged Gaza Strip. The group, which governs the enclave, described Monday’s measure as a “crime against the people of Gaza,” blaming the international community’s prolonged silence that encourages Israel’s blockade on Gaza, Al Jazeera reported. Earlier on Monday, Israel said it will be closing off the Karam Abu Salem border crossing.  The move, which was to come into effect on Tuesday, would only allow for the transfer of humanitarian needs such as cooking gas as well as wheat and flour into Gaza, an official responsible for coordinating the movement of cargo through the border confirmed to Al Jazeera from Gaza. Raed Futooh said items that will be banned from entering the strip, which is home to more than two million people, include clothing goods and construction materials such as “plastic and chemicals.”