Source: Gaza merchants being arrested

GAZA, July 3 (UPI) -- Several merchants in the Gaza Strip have been arrested after a report linked area merchants to several recent regional attacks, a Palestinian source said.

The senior source said that in an attempt to maintain the cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, Hamas officials have arrested merchants thought to be involved with ongoing mortar attacks on Israel, Ynetnews.com said Thursday.

The arrests come in the wake of a Ynetnews report that said a sunflower seed merchant had allegedly launched a rocket at Israel last week.

The source said a total of four merchants and three gunmen have been arrested in connection with the attack.

Ynetnews.com said the merchants allegedly took part in the attack amid fears their businesses would suffer if Israel opened regional crossings as part of the current cease-fire in the region.

Gaza Strip commercial crossings were opened Wednesday, allowing highly sought after goods to enter the struggling region, the Web site reported.