Israeli blamed for key Gaza crossing

The United Nations on Tuesday criticized Israel’s closure of its only cargo crossing with the Gaza Strip, warning that the measure could have negative consequences. In a statement, UN Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov urged Israel to reverse its decision. Israel said it was closing the Kerem Shalom crossing on Monday to everything except essential humanitarian supplies in response to the incendiary kites and balloons that have been flown from Gaza into Israel over the last few months.