Israel to shut down Gaza's main fuel terminal: Palestinian official

Israel intends to gradually close the Nahal Oz crossing terminal along the border with the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian news agency quoted a Palestinian border official as saying on Thursday.

"The decision... was Israel's, and it's ultimately up to the occupation, whether or not Palestinians object," Maan quoted Raed Fattouh, the Gaza crossings representative, as saying.

The official said Israeli authorities were already transferring equipment that pumps fuel to the Kerem Shalom crossing in preparation for the shutting down Nahal Oz.

Israel launched on Dec. 27 a massive offensive in Gaza, killing more than 1434 Palestinians, a third of them children, and wounded at least 5300.

In its land, sea and ar offensive, Israel targeted hospitals, schools, mosques and government buildings and destroyed infrastructure system in Gaza, lefting Palestinians without electricity, gas and power.

But Israel imposes heavy blockade on entry of infrastracture materials under the pretext of Palestinians can use them as "weapon" materials.

Army Radio reported that the decision was taken several months earlier, but announced on Thursday that Israel planned to transfer Nahal's responsibilities to Kerem Shalom, which would become the main terminal. Nahal Oz is presently the main fuel terminal.

However, the official noted, closing Nahal Oz would violate previously signed economic agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, and particularly the terms of the Palestinian Authority's establishment.

Fattouh added that the PA-Israel agreements determined Palestinians were guaranteed a role in operating the Nahal Oz crossing, but not Kerem Shalom since it is on Israeli territory, so shutting down the former would be a de facto violation of the agreement on fuel transfers.

He said the Nahal Oz would be entirely non-operational by 1 November.

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