Israel said it would reopen its border crossings with the Gaza Strip on Tuesday in response to an Egyptian request, reversing an earlier decision to close them after a Palestinian mortar attack. "In response to a special request by the Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, Defence Minister Ehud Barak agreed to open the crossings at noon (0900 GMT)," a Defence Ministry statement said.
Earlier, 
Israel closed all but one of its border crossings with the Strip. According to Reuters, the Israeli army said one mortar shell was fired from the Strip on Monday and landed in southern Israel, causing no casualties or damage.
"All crossings, except for the Erez terminal, will be closed today because of the mortar fired yesterday," said Israeli official Peter Lerner.
Israel has responded to previous rocket and mortar salvoes by closing border crossings into the Gaza Strip. Under a calm brokered by Egypt on June 19, fighters in Gaza Strip are required to halt rocket and mortar fire in return for Israel gradually lifting a blockade of the Hamas-run territory.
© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
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