Hamas takes control of border crossing

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GAZA, March 4 (UPI) -- The Hamas-run government in the Gaza Strip has decided to take control of one of the most important border crossings with Israel, officials said.

Nahed Shuhaiber, a Palestinian Authority-appointed representative on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, was informed his job had been terminated starting Monday and Muhisan Sharafi, a Hamas official would take his place, Ynetnews.com reported.

Israel has worked with the Palestinian Authority representative at the crossing but refuses to cooperate with any Hamas officials, the website said.

Israel shut down the crossing six days ago in response to a Grad rocket fired from Gaza at the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, officials said.

On Sunday, Israeli Maj.Gen. Eitan Dangot said the border crossing would be reopened Monday morning but the move by Hamas may cause it to stay closed, the website said.

About 70 trucks waited at the crossing to take goods to the Gaza Strip, with up to 400 expected to try to cross into Gaza by the end of the day, Ynetnews.com said.