Palestinians support a US proposal to deploy international monitors at Gaza's main commercial crossing to ensure the gateway remains open, a Palestinian official said on Monday.
Israel has shut the Karni crossing with Gaza frequently this year because of what it says are threats from Palestinian militants. Most recently, Karni has been closed since August 15.
The US proposal, submitted to donors early this month and seen by Reuters, includes the deployment of 90 foreign monitors and expanding the crossing at a cost of some $19 million.
"We have asked for an international team to be present in this very important and vital crossing to make sure the crossing continues to operate in both directions," said Saeb Erekat, head of the Palestinian Crossings Authority.
He gave no further details. Israeli officials declined to comment. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz, quoting unnamed Israeli security officials, said the proposal had been welcomed but would remain on ice until a soldier captured by Palestinian militants in late June was freed. Israel launched an offensive in Gaza in response to the abduction of Corporal Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid by militants from the impoverished coastal strip.
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