An attempt to bomb the Karni/al-Mintar crossing, which is the main crossing between Israel and Gaza for trucks loaded with goods, was made yesterday. It was foiled by the Palestinian security men, who were attacked. Three police officers were wounded, as were two of the attackers. The vehicle was impounded, and the police found 300 kilos of explosives and fuel. No one has claimed responsibility, but as a result the Karni crossing was closed. The Israelis would not say when it would be opened, and thus a new humanitarian crisis looms.

Thus far this year, the Karni Crossing has been closed 60% of the time (in contrast to 2005, when it was closed 18%). The impact has been devastating on the Gazans, who have experienced food shortages. To alleviate the situation, the Israelis allowed humanitarian food supplies to cross from Egypt to Gaza via the new Kerem-Shalom Crossing, on the border between Gaza, Egypt and Israel. 210 truckloads of food were been processed through that crossing (as of April 12), according to a new report on the checkpoints issued by the UN Office of Coordinations and Humanitarians Affairs.

The report also makes hauntingly clear how cut off the Gazans are. During the month of March, only 1,161 workers and 56 "traders" were allowed into Israel via Erez Crossing (their only option), and only 650 people were allowed to enter Gaza from Egypt and 665 Palestinians allowed to exit Gaza via the Rafah Crossing. Through this latter crossing, the Palestinians had issued 997 medical referrals (Palestinians who needed treatment outside Gaza), of which only 197 were allowed to leave. For sick Palestinians the better chances lay through the Erez Crossing, where, during the month of February, 93% of referrals (or 716 out of 769) were approved for safe passage.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said that during the month of April they lobbed more than 2000 artillery shells into northern Gaza. That amounts to 66 a day, although the Guardian reported that 300 shells were being fired. They say this is in response to an increase in the number of Qassam rockets that have been landing in Israel from northern Gaza. According to the BBC, 40 Palestinians have been injured in the last week alone, and 90 children were treated for shock.

Laila al-Haddad, a journalist working out of Gaza, writes in her blog "Raising Yousuf" on April 22 that nights have been filled with the sounds of firearms, as members of the "local friendly" al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade accidentally shot up neighborhood cables after hoisting their flag over the Legislative Council building, now occupied by Hamas.
They were protesting recent Hamas statements, especially by Khalid Mishaal, the political head in Damascus, against Fatah. The young Fatah cadres, known locally as "Fatah shabeeba," who are organized by Muhammad Dahlan (the former Gaza Strip Security Chief and a major Fatah figure), responded by firing shots all over the place to show their strength. Clashes between the followers of Fatah and Hamas took place at the Gazan universities, al-Azhar (Fateh dominated) and Islamic University (Hamas dominated). Some students actually welcomed a 3-day strike that had been ordered because it would allow them time to study for exams.

Nonetheless, it appears that security has improved gradually since Hamas took control of the Palestinian Authority, despite reports in the Western press to the contrary. The newest appointment is Jamal Abu Samhadana, who was named to the position of Director General of the Palestinian Interior Ministry (i.e. in charge of internal security). This news was immediately denounced by Israel and the United States. Abu Samhadana is head of the Popular Resistance Committees, and is said to be in charge of the brigade that fires Qassam rockets into Israel. He had also been accused of involvement in the death of three American security guards in Gaza in October 2003.

According to al-Haddad, his appointment may prove salutary for the Gazans, who overwhelmingly favor an end to random violence that has plagued their lives. Samhadana comes from one of the most powerful clans in south Gaza, and as head of the Popular Resistance Committees and accepted by the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, he can count on their cooperation. These two groups had been among the most volatile in Gaza. By naming him to the post, she says, "Hamas is effectively ensuring their allegiance and making them "keepers of the Street" rather than "keepers of the clan". They all pledged to fight (the word was more like "crush") lawlessness and crime." It may also result in fewer Qassam rockets being launched.