Israel closed its only goods crossing with the Gaza Strip on Monday over weeks of fires at farms caused by kites and balloons carrying firebombs from the Israeli-besieged Palestinian enclave.

The arson attacks have led to increasing alarm among Israeli residents and farmers near the blockaded Gaza Strip and demands that authorities take action.

"The crossing will be closed except for humanitarian equipment (including food and medicine) that will be approved on an individual basis," Israel's military said in a statement.

"No exports or marketing of goods will be carried out from the Gaza Strip."

In the past three months Israel has killed tens of Palestinians and injured thousands using live bullets as they demonstrated for the Right of Return.

UN officials and rights activists have repeatedly called for Israel to lift the blockade against Gaza, citing deteriorating humanitarian conditions for two million Palestinians.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online