Israel threatens to close Gaza Airport

Israel threatened yesterday to close Gaza Airport which has been open for less than a month, alleging that the Palestinian government has broken the agreement regulating the operation of the airport.

Israeli security sources announced that Israel is discussing the possibility of closing the airport to both incoming and outgoing flights in the case that the Palestinians violate the accord.

The problem was escalated when the Israeli security inspectors were prevented from checking an airplane carrying Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on his recent return to Gaza.