Israel defense forces Sunday closed the Karni border crossing and the Nahal Oz fuel terminal with the Gaza Strip after rocket attacks from Palestinian militants.

The spokeswoman of Israel defense forces told Xinhua that five Qassam rockets and one mortar shell were fired on the western Negev early Sunday, with the latter landing near the Nahal Oz fuel terminal.

Some 50 trucks of supplies were forced to turn back after the barrage of shelling, the spokeswoman added.

Meanwhile, Hamas started to use police cars as free taxi to ferry around Palestinians due to severe fuel shortages, according to local Jerusalem Post website.

Israel has restricted fuel supplies to Gaza in an attempt to pressure Palestinian terrorists to halt their rocket barrages at nearby Israeli communities.

(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2008)