Israel closes main crossing with Gaza following latest violence

Israel’s defence minister has closed the country’s main personnel crossing with Gaza in response to recent violence along the frontier.

Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday that he was shutting down the Erez border crossing.

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire and another 60 were wounded during violent protests on Friday amid ongoing Egyptian efforts to broker a ceasefire.

The protesters threw rocks and firebombs at Israeli troops from behind clouds of black smoke from burning tyres, with soldiers responding with tear gas and live fire.

Hamas officials have been meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo to hammer out details of a possible truce with Israel.

The sides have come close to serious conflict in recent weeks, as militants have fired rockets at Israel, which has responded with airstrikes.