The decision to reopen the border, which had largely been kept shut amid continuing rocket attacks from the Hamas-ruled enclave, came following internal consultations in the security establishment and requests from the international community, said the report.

Throughout Thursday, at least six rockets were fired at southern Israel, a day after Gazan militants rained more than 60 rockets and mortar shells upon the Jewish state and a retaliatory Israeli airstrike killed one Hamas gunman in southern Gaza.

The latest flare-up prompted the security cabinet to convene an emergency meeting on Wednesday, following which Barak said that he had instructed the army to prepare itself to deliver a harsh response to the cross-border attacks.

Earlier Thursday, the defense minister warned that Gazan militants would pay a "heavy price" if they continue to barrage Israel.