| Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told military officers he intends to reopen the Rafah border crossing in January, and from next week Palestinians would be able to use the new Kerem Shalom facility at the junction of the Israeli, Egyptian and Gaza borders, defense officials said. Israel had said the Rafah crossing would be closed for six months for security and customs arrangements. Palestinians insist on free access in and out of Gaza through Rafah with no Israeli presence, and have rejected the Kerem Shalom option. |