Israel reimposes Gaza Strip clampdown

Israel reimposes Gaza Strip clampdown
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

JERUSALEM, JAN 15: The Israeli army said today it had reimposed a total clampdown on the Gaza Strip, which was lifted only last Thursday following the murder of a Jewish settler in the Palestinian territory.

The army closed down the Gaza Strip's airport and main roads as well as the Karni and Erez border crossings to Israel.

Palestinian workers had started to return to work in Israel after the reopening of border crossings on Thursday following a successful joint security meeting Wednesday between Israeli and Palestinian officials, an Israeli official said.

The decision to authorise a new shutdown was taken after the Israeli army found the body of a Jewish settler, who was abducted yesterday night, near the southern Jewish settlement of Kfar Yam. With just days left for any agreement, tensions over the disappearance of a Jewish settler has thus threatened to further endanger a modest peace goal.

Israeli tanks responded to the apparent kidnapping by shelling late yesterday South of Gaza City and the isolated Jewish settlement of Netzarim--one shell landing about 1.5 kilometre from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's office in Gaza City, Palestinian officials said.

Firing illumination shells into the night sky, Israeli forces closed main roads in Gaza and sealed off all borders to search for the settler, identified by Israel radio as Roni Tsalah.

The man's car, carrying a locating transmitter, was tracked to the Palestinian city of Khan Yunis. Local residents told Israeli radio the car was found in flames in a central square in the city, and settlers said the man himself was in the hands of the Palestinians.

Barak's office said officials had no confirmation late yesterday whether the man was dead or alive.

Palestinian police said they were helping the Israeli army, which was sweeping central Gaza for the missing man. One Palestinian policeman was injured when Israeli tanks fired near a police checkpoint near Khan Yunis, Palestinian officials said.

In the meanwhile, talks between Israel and Palestinian switch to guideline for future. Negotiators from both the nations said that peace efforts had turned to summing up gains made so far preserving them as guidelines in an uncertain future, after US President Bill Clinton leaves office and pro-accord Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak faces an unhappy electorate.