Israel reopens border crossing into Gaza

GAZA, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Israel reopened a border crossing into northeast Gaza for distribution of humanitarian aid Thursday, a Gaza import agency said.

The Karm Abu Salem Crossing is open to 121 aid trucks carrying wheat, sugar, rice and other staples into the Gaza Strip from Israel, the Gaza Goods Import Commission said.

Israel also promised it would soon reopen another crossing to let in gas for cooking and diesel fuel for power stations, commission head Raed Fotouh said in a statement.

The Karni Crossing, a cargo terminal on the northeastern end of the Gaza Strip, remains closed, the Kuwait News Agency quoted Fotouh as saying.

Israel provided no further information.

Israel pulled its troops out of Gaza Jan. 18, ending a three-week offensive that Israel said had been meant to deter Hamas rocket attacks.

Israel and Hamas, the Islamic group that rules Gaza, declared separate cease-fires. And while tit-for-tat attacks have increased since Jan. 27, Egypt has been having separate talks with Israel and Hamas to consolidate the cease-fire, The New York Times reported.

In return for a cease-fire lasting a year or more, Hamas is demanding the lifting of Israel's 18-month economic embargo on Gaza and the opening of the border crossings for regular commerce, the Times said.