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A crowd of militants in the Gaza Strip (photo: Flash90)
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| By Israel Insider staff September 19, 2007 |
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The security cabinet voted unanimously to declare the Gaza Strip a "hostile entity," a headline that dominated the local press on Wednesday. The new status, which was imposed following an escalation of Qassam rocket strikes against Israel, will likely allow Israel to cut off electricity to the Strip as a retaliatory measure against attacks.
The government press release read: "Hamas is a terrorist organization that has taken control of the Gaza Strip and turned it into hostile territory. This organization engages in hostile activity against the State of Israel and its citizens and bears responsibility for this activity.
"In light of the foregoing, it has been decided to adopt the recommendations that have been presented by the security establishment, including the continuation of military and counter-terrorist operations against the terrorist organizations," according to the Jerusalem Post.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who opposes a large-scale incursion into Gaza to thwart future attacks, initiated the proposal as an alternative to a major ground offensive.
The new status is an attempt to force Hamas to halt attacks because Israeli air strikes and land incursions against the rocket launchers have proven ineffective.
Gaza's population, largely impoverished, is almost entirely dependent on Israel for the supply of electricity, water and fuel.
Hamas condemned the cabinet's decision as an act of war and threatened retaliation.
"They aim to starve our people and force them to accept humiliating formulas that could emerge from the so-called November peace conference," Haaretz quoted Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum as saying.
"It is a declaration of war and continues the criminal, terrorist Zionist actions against our people," he said.
A minister in Abbas' government also slammed the decision. "It is collective punishment against the people of Gaza, and discourages serious political discussion," said Ashraf Ajrami.
"We are going to ask the Americans to pressure Israel to refrain from taking such action," the Palestinian Information Minister Riyad al-Malki added.
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