Israel will transfer dozens of Israel Defense Forces soldiers and civilian employees stationed at the Erez crossing's Coordination and Liaison Administration to a base removed from the range of rockets and mortars being launched from the Gaza Strip, it was announced Sunday.
Defense officials opted for the move following Thursday's attempted bomb attack in which a truck carrying significant amounts of explosives blew up on the Palestinian side of the Erez crossing.
Last year, a public outcry ensued after a Qassam rocket struck the Zikim inductee base, prompting parents to demand that the army move the soldiers to a base outside of rocket and mortar range. IDF officers were strenuous in resisting the calls, insisting that "wherever there are civilians present, soldiers will not be evacuated."
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In the coming days, IDF workers and soldiers will be relocated to Camp Julis near Ashkelon, where they will undergo training. The decision was made in conjunction with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Yossi Mishlav.
An official from Mishlav's office said the nature of their tasks - which include providing entry and exit permits to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip - does not require the presence of soldiers and civilians at Erez crossing, but also enable them to do their jobs in a location removed from the threat of rocket fire. The official added that soldiers and security employees whose work requires a physical presence on the ground in close proximity to the Gaza Strip will continue to operate from the compound.
"Moving an IDF base [out of rocket range] is a cowardly solution," said National Religious Party Chairman MK Zvulun Orlev, warning that "whoever runs away from terror will find that terror catches up with him."
"Do they also plan on relocating Sderot, Kfar Aza, and Ashkelon?" said Orlev, citing some of the communities plagued by the rockets over the past seven years.
