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Israeli Official Closes Gaza Border

Posted on: Friday, 18 January 2008, 09:00 CST

A spokesman for the Israeli defense minister said Friday that Israeli troops are closing border crossings leading in to and out of Gaza.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak gave the order after more than 100 rockets fired from Gaza fell on Israel in recent days, CNN reported Friday. Israel's military retaliation for the attacks killed at least two dozen Palestinians.

Palestinian sources said two further militants were killed in continuing airstrikes Friday.

A spokesman for Barak said the border closing will prevent food, fuel and medicine from being taken into Gaza but Palestinians in the territory who need medical treatment will be allowed to cross into Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday that Israel has no desire to harm the residents of the Gaza Strip but would fight extremists in the area without compromise and without pity.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said in a statement that a militant wanted for planning and executing suicide attacks was killed by troops operating in the West Bank. Ahmad Muhammad Ibrahim Sanakra was killed after troops identified him holding a rifle.

Source: United Press International

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