Israeli Supreme Court imposes freeze on barrier construction

Several containers with products from Gaza pass through the Karni checkpoint into Israel every day. The containers go through rigorous Israeli security checks at the crossings, where they are usually transferred from one truck to another.

The Haaretz daily said the bombers' container had slipped by a civilian inspector who failed to notice the double wall.

The Supreme Court order over the separation barrier followed a protest in the area last month in which Israeli troops killed two Palestinian protesters. About 30 residents of the nearby Israeli town of Mevasseret Zion joined the challenge.

Dahla said he had submitted a report by former Israeli military officials that claims the planned route goes far beyond security considerations and says a less intrusive route would be equally effective.

The court ordered the Israeli military to respond to the report and extended a freeze first imposed Feb. 29 until it hears back from the army, Dahla said. The court did not schedule another hearing.

Defense Ministry and government officials did not immediately comment.

"I think it's a victory," Dahla said. "I think the Supreme Court in a way has started not to believe the story that is being told by the army. ... The wall is not only about security."

The barrier faces a series of legal challenges in the Supreme Court as well as a case before the International Court of Justice in the Hague.