The evacuation of the Karni crossing adjoining the Gaza Strip, which has been a hot spot for protests throughout the years, officially began Sunday morning.
The evacuation and demolition of the border crossing are intended to allow for the completion of the Gaza Strip security barrier. The operation will take place over several weeks, during which construction of the security barrier will be carried out by the Defense Ministry and the IDF’s Gaza Division.
The operation, in addition to other steps, is designed to improve security in the Gaza periphery, the IDF said Sunday.
The Karni crossing has been used for the passage of employees traveling between Gaza and Israel as well as for goods and products. In 2011, the crossing was closed after several attacks occurred there.
Since then, all goods passing between Israel and Gaza go through the Kerem Shalom crossing, while workers pass through the Erez crossing.