A/HRC/12/48 page 64 229. Shortly after midnight on 24 June 2008, a mortar fired from Gaza landed in the Negev near the Karni checkpoint, causing no injuries or damage.91 No group claimed responsibility for the attack.92 230. At dawn on 24 June 2008, the Israeli armed forces launched a raid in the West Bank town of Nablus in which an Islamic Jihad activist and another Palestinian man were killed.93 According to statements reportedly made by the Palestinian armed group Islamic Jihad, it responded by firing three Qassam rockets into Israel, which landed in the western Negev desert.94 It added: “We cannot keep our hands tied when this is happening to our brothers in the West Bank”, while a Gaza authorities spokesman was quoted as saying that the rocket attack came as a result of “Israeli provocation” but that Hamas, as the Gaza authorities, was “committed to the security calm”.95 In Israel, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson termed the rocket attacks “a grave violation of the ceasefire”96 and said it would consider reimposing economic sanctions.97 231. On 26 June 2008, Israel’s Defense Ministry ordered the reclosure of the Gaza border crossings, save for special humanitarian cases, in response to the rocket attacks two days previously.98 The Gaza authorities accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, stating “if the crossings remain closed, the truce will collapse”.99 232. Later on 26 June 2008, one rocket was fired from Gaza into Israel for which the Palestinian armed group al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility.100 As reported by the Xinhua news agency, the armed group stated that “the truce must include the West Bank and all Rianovosti, “Mortar attack from Gaza hit Israel”, 24 June 2008, available at: http://en.rian.ru/world/20080624/ 111867958.html; “End of truce?...”. 91 92 “Mortar attack…”. “End of truce?...”; The New York Times, “Rockets hit Israel, breaking Hamas truce”, 25 June 2008, available at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/world/middleeast/25mideast.html 93 94 “End of truce?...”. 95 Ibid. 96 Ibid. BBC News, “Rockets ‘violated Gaza ceasefire’”, 24 June 2008, available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ middle_east/7470530.stm 97 98 Xinhua News, “Israeli FM calls for immediate military response to Qassam attacks”, 26 June 2008. Gaza authorities, “The Government: Closing the crossings is an infringement of truce, and we call Egypt to interpose”, press statement (25 June 2008), available at: http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/ ?page=633167343250594025&Nid=4702; see also “Israeli FM calls for immediate military response…”. 99 OCHA, Protection of Civilians Weekly Report (25 June–1 July 2008), available at: http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/Weekly_Briefing_Notes_266.pdf. 100