Gaza – Ma'an – Nathmi Mhanna, the Palestinian Authority's head of borders and crossings, said he and others were working hard to thwart Israel's recently announced plan to shut down Gaza's main fuel terminal.

Israel's military said on Thursday is planned to close the Nahal Oz crossing, which is the only border terminal staffed jointly by Israelis and Palestinians as per previously signed agreements with the PA.

In an interview, Mhanna said Israel was seeking to shut down the crossing due to unspecified security concerns voiced by individual soldiers.

He added that the PA would work to keep all border crossings open and continue the import of goods into the besieged coastal strip, claiming that Israel was beginning to relax bans on certain items at Kerem Shalom.

The official also said it recently relayed a request that Karni be open for five days each week, adding that Israel promised to study the issue.