Israel imposed new sanctions on the blockaded Gaza Strip on Monday, including restrictions on the movement of goods.

The sanctions, which went into effect on Tuesday, came in response to cross-border blazes caused by burning kites and helium balloons.

“The Kerem Shalom border crossing will be closed in response to incendiary kite attacks by Palestinian activists,” an Israeli army official said, without specifying how long the border would remain closed for.

Sanctions include restrictions on the movement of good, in terms of additional bureaucratic hurdles, while the export of local products has become more difficult. Gaza’s coast area has also been reduced, which will broadly affect the livelihood of local fishermen.

Humanitarian aid, food and medicine are exempt from the new sanctions, but still need the army’s approval to enter the Strip.

Palestinian economists are concerned about the new sanctions and how they will aggravate Gaza’s already drained economic and humanitarian situation.

“This decision is dangerous; it will have serious repercussions. Gaza’s inhabitants will have difficulties adapting to these new obstacles, which will only further reduce standards of living in Gaza,” Mazen al-Ajlah, an expert on the Palestinian economy, told Anadolu Agency.

Since March 30, Palestinian activists have been flying flaming kites and balloons over Israeli territory as part of an ongoing demonstration against the Israeli occupation of Gaza. During the confrontations, 137 Palestinian protesters were killed and thousands more got injured by Israeli army gunfire.