Israel to reopen Gaza crossings, let in Palestinians for medical care

Israel will open border crossings with the Gaza Strip Thursday morning and permit Palestinians requiring medical treatment to enter Israel via the Erez crossing.

Fuel, merchandise and humanitarian aid will be brought to Gaza via the Karni, Sufa and Kerem Shalom crossings. The crossings had been closed on Monday at Defense Minister Ehud Barak's order, following a Palestinian rocket attack.

Barak discussed the crossings during a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday in Alexandria, Egypt. They discussed ways to maintain the truce between Israel and Hamas and negotiations to release abducted soldier Gilad Shalit.