GAZA – Israel all but ruled out yesterday a full reopening of border crossings with the Gaza Strip any time soon, leaving a shaky ceasefire and postwar reconstruction in doubt.
While a UN official praised Israel’s “goodwill” for letting some 120 truckloads per day of food and medicine into Gaza, diplomats decried restrictions on steel, cement and cash imports needed to make repairs after Israel’s 22-day offensive.
Barring a swift change in Israeli policy, a senior western diplomat said the emergency response and long-term reconstruction were “bound to fail”. US officials voiced support, under certain conditions, for opening the crossings more fully, but set no timetable.
Hamas has made abiding by the ceasefire, which took effect on Sunday, conditional on Israel lifting its crippling blockade.
Meanwhile, Agence France Presse was reporting an Israeli government source saying that prime minister Ehud Olmert has put the justice minister in charge of defending Israel against charges of war crimes during the 22-day Gaza assault.
Daniel Friedman will lead an inter-ministerial team to co-ordinate a legal defence for civilians and the military, the source said.
Defence minister Ehud Barak was also due to ask the government tomorrow to approve a Bill “offering moral and legal backing to army officers and soldiers following Operation Cast Lead,” his ministry said.
Israel’s military censor has already banned the publication of the identity of the unit leaders who fought against Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip for fear they might face war crimes charges.
On Tuesday, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon demanded that those responsible for bombing UN buildings in the Palestinian territory should be made accountable and accused Israel of using excessive force. – (Reuters)