Gaza crossing resealed by Israel

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Israel has resealed a border crossing with the Gaza Strip that it had temporarily opened to allow in a limited amount of food and fuel.

Israeli officials said they took the step after a rocket was fired at Israel late on Monday.

The day-long opening of the crossing was only the second time in three weeks that Israel had allowed aid into Gaza.

It tightened its blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory this month after attacks by Palestinian militants.

The militants said their rocket attacks, which caused minor damage but no serious injuries, were in retaliation for an Israeli army raid into Gaza.

UN officials say Gaza is facing a humanitarian catastrophe, and have urged Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to ease the blockade.

On Monday, Israel allowed at least 40 lorryloads of humanitarian aid and other goods into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing point, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said.

The Israeli authorities also opened the Nahal Oz terminal for the delivery of fuel to Gaza's power plant, for the first time since the blockade was intensified on 4 November.

The Defence Ministry decided to close the crossing again after a rocket was fired on Monday evening, though an Israeli official said the rocket fell short and landed in the Gaza Strip.

Aid officials said Monday's deliveries would have little effect because the crossings had been closed for so long.

EU officials said the fuel delivery would be enough to keep the power plant running for a day.

Aid shipments were last allowed on 17 November, also for a single day.