Report: Palestinian Authority foils attack intended to derail Gaza talks

By YVETTE J. DEANE
Updated: AUGUST 24, 2018 11:40
A Palestinian man rides on a truck carrying fruits as it arrives at Kerem Shalom crossing in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, July 10, 2018 (photo credit: REUTERS)
A Palestinian man rides on a truck carrying fruits as it arrives at Kerem Shalom crossing in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, July 10, 2018
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Authority forces located explosives, near Route 443, which they believe were planted to hinder contact between Israel and Hamas, Ynet reported.
The explosives were located near the Palestinian villages of Beit Liqya and Beit 'Anan, which are in Area C under full Israeli control.  This is a route IDF convoys regularly take on their way into Palestinian villages for night arrests and similar operations.
Palestinian Authority Security Forces exposed and dismantled the devices and updated the IDF, according to a source.
The investigation of the incident is in progress, but Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad are suspected of planning the attack. The amount of explosives indicated the intention of the perpetrator was to ensure many casualties.

These events follow a relative calm on the Gaza border. On Tuesday, there was a partial opening of the the Kerem Shalom Crossing. Fuel, food, and medical supplies were allowed in after the crossing was closed for a week, according to Liberman's office.