Gaza crossings opened despite court case

23 Jun 2008

JERUSALEM - Israel has opened Gaza's crossings as its Supreme Court hears a case meant to close them.

The family of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas had petitioned the court on Sunday to keep the crossings closed. They're afraid he'll be taken out of Gaza to Egypt through a passage there. The family says government officials told them Israel's blockade of Gaza would not be lifted until he was freed.

The restrictions at most crossings were partially lifted Sunday as part of a cease-fire with Hamas and they were reopened on Monday. The year-long blockade meant to stop militant rocket fire on Israel has prompted fuel and transportation shortages in the territory of 1.4 million Palestinians.

The court was scheduled to decide on the case at noon local time Monday.