Israel Reopens Gaza Crossings, Lets Palestinians Back to Work After Two Weeks 

Palestinian workers gather at the Erez crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip, on September 28, 2023, after the crossing was reopened by Israeli authorities. (AFP)
Palestinian workers gather at the Erez crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip, on September 28, 2023, after the crossing was reopened by Israeli authorities. (AFP)
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Israel Reopens Gaza Crossings, Lets Palestinians Back to Work After Two Weeks 

Palestinian workers gather at the Erez crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip, on September 28, 2023, after the crossing was reopened by Israeli authorities. (AFP)
Palestinian workers gather at the Erez crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip, on September 28, 2023, after the crossing was reopened by Israeli authorities. (AFP)

Israel reopened crossing points with Gaza on Thursday, allowing thousands of Palestinian workers to get to their jobs in Israel and the West Bank, after nearly two weeks of closure prompted by violent protests along the border.

Around 18,000 Gazans have permits from Israeli authorities to work outside the blockaded enclave, providing an injection of cash amounting to some $2 million a day to the impoverished territory's economy.

The move comes amid stepped-up international efforts by Egypt and the United Nations to defuse tensions and prevent a new round of armed conflict in the enclave.

For around two weeks, protestors throwing stones and explosive devices have faced off against Israeli troops who have responded with live fire, killing at least one man and wounding dozens more.

Protests on Wednesday were less intense, and so was the Israeli response. A Palestinian official familiar with mediation efforts told Reuters the development came "upon the request of mediators to de-escalate tensions".

Desperate to go back to their jobs, workers began to flock to the Palestinian side of the crossing soon after Israel made the announcement late on Wednesday.

"We want to go to work and earn a living for our children because the situation was too bad for us the past two weeks," said Khaled Zurub, 57, who works in construction in Israel.

Cogat, the Israeli Defense Ministry agency that coordinates with the Palestinians, said security assessments would determine whether the border remained open.

Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Hamas movement that rules Gaza and opposes peace deals with Israel, said Israel was constantly violating Gazans' fundamental right to freedom of movement with repeated border closures and the blockade of Gaza.

Israel blocks many goods from entering Gaza, citing security concerns, and also reserves the right to restrict exports.

According to IMF figures, per capita income in Gaza is only a quarter of that of Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The World Bank says unemployment is nearly 50%.



Israel Says Drone Strike Kills Head of Hamas in Lebanon 

Lebanese army, security forces, and civil defense first responders inspect the remains of a destroyed vehicle that was reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on February 17, 2025. (AFP)
Lebanese army, security forces, and civil defense first responders inspect the remains of a destroyed vehicle that was reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on February 17, 2025. (AFP)
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Israel Says Drone Strike Kills Head of Hamas in Lebanon 

Lebanese army, security forces, and civil defense first responders inspect the remains of a destroyed vehicle that was reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on February 17, 2025. (AFP)
Lebanese army, security forces, and civil defense first responders inspect the remains of a destroyed vehicle that was reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on February 17, 2025. (AFP)

An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon on Monday killed the head of the Palestinian Hamas group in the country, Israel's military said. 

The strike came on the eve of the deadline for Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon under the ceasefire agreement that ended the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah. 

The Israeli military said it killed Mohammad Shaheen, the head of Hamas’ operations department in Lebanon. The army accused Shaheen of “recently planning terror attacks, directed and funded by Iran, from Lebanese territory against the citizens of the state of Israel.” 

Footage circulating online showed a car engulfed in flames. The strike occurred near a Lebanese army checkpoint and Sidon’s municipal sports stadium. 

The original withdrawal deadline was in late January, but under pressure from Israel, Lebanon agreed to extend it to Feb. 18. It remains unclear whether Israeli troops will complete their withdrawal by Tuesday. 

Since the ceasefire, Israel has continued airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, saying it is targeting military sites containing missiles and combat equipment. Israel and Lebanon have exchanged accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement.