Al-Quds city, July 08, SPA -- Egypt has asked Israel toreopen border crossings with the Gaza Strip, the Associated Press reported. The border crossings were closed after Palestinians violated a 3-week-old truce, the Associated Press quoted Israeli defense officials as saying Tuesday. Israel agreed to the request, which appeared to be anattempt to prod forward the cease-fire, which was designedin part to ease Israel's crushing blockade of the coastalstrip. In so doing, it suggested it might stopautomatically closing the crossings in response to everytruce violation. None of the attacks has caused serious injuries. Passages were expected to be opened around midday Tuesday,the Israeli defense officials said. So far the truce has not eased conditions in Gaza becauseof the frequent closures. Egypt mediated the truce because Israel has no contactswith Hamas.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/572026