Israel closed the Kerem Shalom goods crossing with the Gaza Strip on the morning of Aug. 11. The decision was taken the previous night, after a long day of explosive-laden balloons landing in Israeli territories and igniting at least 30 bush fires. According to Israeli authorities, no injuries were reported, but 400 dunams (99 acres) of land in the Be’eri Forest were burned. Also on Aug. 10, Hamas launched a barrage of at least four rockets toward the Mediterranean Sea. A Palestinian source said that the barrage should serve as a message to Israel, to let it know that armed groups in Gaza will not "remain silent" in the face of an Israeli "aggression." Footage of the launch was posted online, with Palestinian residents seen cheering at the site.
A statement issued by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said that the crossing point would be closed from the morning of Aug. 11 "until further notice." It added that “the decision was made following security deliberations and in light of repeated terror attacks committed by terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip against Israeli citizens, which is a violation of the Israeli sovereignty." Still, according to COGAT, fuel and humanitarian aid, including food, would continue to be allowed into the Gaza Strip.
