After a week of mortar and rocket fire from Gaza, the Israeli army on Monday said it was temporarily shutting down the Kerem Shalom border crossing with the coastal enclave.

"Following security assessments and the ongoing rocket fire from the Gaza Strip at the crossing over the past 24 hours, the commander of the Southern Command, Maj.-Gen. Tal Russo, has temporarily ceased activity at the southernmost passage for food and goods between Israel and the coastal enclave."

Palestinians fired two mortar shells Monday morning at Israeli targets, but there were no reports of damage. On Sunday, three mortar shells were fired at Israeli communities surrounding the area, damaging buildings and vehicles, but causing no casualties.

"The crossing will be reopened after the rocket fire comes to a standstill and when deemed fit by additional security assessments, " the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman told Xinhua.

Additionally, the army said that "There have been numerous attempts by terrorists to execute terror attacks at the crossing, through which goods and supplies are being transferred to the Gaza Strip."

Since June 18, Palestinian militants in Gaza have fired over 150 Grad and Kassam rockets and shorter-range mortar shells at cities, towns and villages in Israel, wounding several people, according to army statistics.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force carried out a series of counter-strikes aimed at rocket squads, ammo dumps and bomb-making facilities in Gaza. Palestinian sources said some 30 Gazans were killed and tens injured in the air strikes.

In 2001, Israel imposed trade restrictions on Gaza and increased sanctions after Hamas took control of the area in 2007.