Israeli authorities closed Erez crossing point on Tuesday after explosives were found near the Palestinian side of the terminal, witnesses and security sources said.

The explosives were found shortly after former US President Jimmy Carter entered the Hamas-controlled strip through Erez terminal on Tuesday morning. He is due to leave through Erez Tuesday afternoon.

The witnesses said a bomb squad of Hamas police started working to dismantle the explosives while other sources told Xinhua that it was more than one bomb.

An official from the bomb squad refused to give information but said "it was a simple matter."

The safety and security office of NGOs that operate in Gaza confirmed the news in urgent messages sent to their international staff.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2009)