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Israel closes crossings with Gaza Israel closes crossings with Gaza
(10 minutes later)
Israel has closed its crossings with the Gaza Strip, after a series of rocket attacks on nearby Israeli towns from the Hamas-run territory.Israel has closed its crossings with the Gaza Strip, after a series of rocket attacks on nearby Israeli towns from the Hamas-run territory.
The UN relief agency providing food to Palestinian refugees in Gaza said it was unable to deliver humanitarian aid as a result of the closure.The UN relief agency providing food to Palestinian refugees in Gaza said it was unable to deliver humanitarian aid as a result of the closure.
The measure came as at least one militant was killed and several others injured in an Israeli air strike.The measure came as at least one militant was killed and several others injured in an Israeli air strike.
They had just launched rockets into Israel, officials on both sides said.They had just launched rockets into Israel, officials on both sides said.
A militant from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades was also killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Nablus.A militant from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades was also killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Nablus.
The Israeli military has intensified operations in Gaza this week, killing at least 32 Palestinians in air strikes.The Israeli military has intensified operations in Gaza this week, killing at least 32 Palestinians in air strikes.
Gaza is completely shut down - this will only add to an already dire situation Christopher GunnessUNRWAGaza is completely shut down - this will only add to an already dire situation Christopher GunnessUNRWA
Hamas, the militant Islamist group, has fired salvoes of unguided rockets for the first time in months, causing injuries in Israel.Hamas, the militant Islamist group, has fired salvoes of unguided rockets for the first time in months, causing injuries in Israel.
The sharp rise in violence in the Gaza Strip comes after a recent US-led push for progress in peace talks.The sharp rise in violence in the Gaza Strip comes after a recent US-led push for progress in peace talks.
Roads dug upRoads dug up
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak took the decision to close Gaza's borders on Thursday evening, prompted by the rocket attacks.Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak took the decision to close Gaza's borders on Thursday evening, prompted by the rocket attacks.
More attacks followed on Friday, with one hitting the Israeli town of Ashkelon. No casualties were reported.More attacks followed on Friday, with one hitting the Israeli town of Ashkelon. No casualties were reported.
A spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Christopher Gunness, said it was unable to deliver lorryloads of aid because of the closure.A spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Christopher Gunness, said it was unable to deliver lorryloads of aid because of the closure.
"Gaza is completely shut down. This will only add to an already dire situation," he said."Gaza is completely shut down. This will only add to an already dire situation," he said.
Gazans were digging up roads because there was no cement for making graves, he said.Gazans were digging up roads because there was no cement for making graves, he said.
"It is imperative that these crossings are opened so that the dire situation in Gaza does not deteriorate further, inflicting further misery on one-and-a-half million people," he said."It is imperative that these crossings are opened so that the dire situation in Gaza does not deteriorate further, inflicting further misery on one-and-a-half million people," he said.
But the BBC?s Martin Patiernce, who is at the Erez crossing, says he has seen one Palestinian who needs urgent medical treatment being allowed out of Gaza. But the BBC?s Martin Patience, who is at the Erez crossing, says he saw one Palestinian needing urgent medical treatment being allowed out of Gaza.
Two Gazans were allowed to cross into the territory, returning from receiving treatment in Israel, our correspondent says. Two Gazans were allowed to cross into the territory, returning from receiving treatment in Israel, as well as a vehicle belonging to UN children's fund Unicef, our correspondent says.
Last week, a hopeful US President George W Bush was predicting the recently relaunched peace process could result in a deal within a year.Last week, a hopeful US President George W Bush was predicting the recently relaunched peace process could result in a deal within a year.
But on Thursday, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) headed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned of "serious consequences" for the talks if the Israeli strikes continued.But on Thursday, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) headed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned of "serious consequences" for the talks if the Israeli strikes continued.