JERUSALEM, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel reopens Gaza's main cargo crossing on Wednesday morning, a week after it was closed amidst a flare-up of violence.
The opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing after nearly two weeks was decided by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and the Chief of General Staff Gadi Eisenkot, the military said in a statement.
"The Kerem Shalom crossing will be re-opened this morning for full activity," the statement read, adding that the fishing zone off the Gaza Strip will also be expanded to nine nautical miles (16.6 km).
Lieberman wrote on his Facebook account that the opening of Kerem Shalom is "a clear message to residents of the Gaza Strip, that is, quiet pays and violence doesn't pay."
The move came amid Egypt's efforts to broker a cease-fire deal that will include eased restrictions on the besieged Palestinian enclave and a long-lasting truce.
In recent weeks, the escalation between Israel and Hamas have reached almost a full-fledged war. It came after month-long protests along Gaza-Israel border against the 11-year-long blockade imposed on Gaza.
Since March 30, Israeli forces have killed at least 164 Palestinians, including 121 protestors, while a Palestinian sniper killed an Israeli soldier.
