Balloons carrying an incendiary device floats after being released by masked Palestinians (not in photo) near Gaza's Bureij refugee camp, along the Israel-Gaza border fence, on Feb 10, 2020. (MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)

JERUSALEM - Israel on Tuesday closed one of its main border crossings with the Gaza Strip after Palestinians launched incendiary balloons that set fire to areas on the Israeli frontier.

Israeli media reported that more than 30 fires were set around border communities by balloons carrying incendiary devices launched from Gaza.

Kerem Shalom Crossing will be closed for the passage of all goods, with the exception of the entry of essential humanitarian equipment and fuel.

Israeli Defense Ministry

"Kerem Shalom Crossing will be closed for the passage of all goods, with the exception of the entry of essential humanitarian equipment and fuel," Israel's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

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The measure is a response to "the continued launching of incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip into the territory of the State of Israel," according to the statement, in which it the ministry said the move was taken following an order issued by Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

Kerem Shalom is one of three main Gaza border crossings with Israel and Egypt, but it is where most goods pass through daily.

Palestinian officials said the closure in particular affected construction materials.

Israel believes that the balloons were sent by militant opposition groups in Gaza but it holds Hamas, a Palestinian movement that runs Gaza, responsible for the launchings.

"The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and the State of Israel will respond firmly to any violation of our sovereignty and our citizens," the ministry said in the statement, adding that the balloons "harm the residents of the Gaza Strip, the development of the economy and attempts to improve the civilian situation of its residents".

READ MORE: Israel shuts down cargo crossing into Gaza to punish Hamas

Hamas' spokesman in Gaza, Abdulatif al-Qanou'a, said in an emailed press statement that the closure of the border crossing "is part of putting pressure on Gaza and suffocate its citizens".

"All means of pressure and threats would be meaningless, and no one can break our people's determination to end the siege," said al-Qanou'a. 

Gaza is run by Hamas, an Islamist group that Israel and the West designate a terrorist organization. Citing security concerns, Israel maintains tight control over its land and sea borders. Egypt also restricts movement in and out of Gaza.

With Xinhua inputs