Israel's new Defence minister on Wednesday reopened the main cargo crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, signaling a policy shift aimed at easing some of Israel's security restrictions on the Palestinians. Israel had kept the Karni crossing closed for much of the year, citing warnings that Palestinian militants were trying to attack the site, Gaza's lifeline. The decision by Defence Minister Amir Peretz, leader of the dovish Labor Party, signaled a change in policy toward the Palestinians, the military officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not been made. Peretz is trying to ease some Israeli restrictions on the Palestinians, they said.