Israel reopens Gaza crossings

GAZA, July 6 (UPI) -- Israeli officials said three crossings between Israel and Gaza were re-opened Sunday, three days after they were shut in response to rocket fire.

The Erez, Sufa and Nahal Oz crossings into Gaza re-opened Sunday morning just as Israel and the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, reached a crucial point in efforts to keep a cease-fire agreement in effect, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The two sides are negotiating the return of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and Israel warned any delays by Hamas in negotiating Shalit's status could derail the truce. That warning followed a Friday announcement by Hamas that it was considering suspending the talks because Israel was not abiding by the cease-fire agreement, the Post reported.

The Hamas statement appeared to contradict statements made by other militant leaders who indicated indirect talks with Israel over Shalit's status would begin soon in Cairo, the newspaper said.