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Defense Minister Ehud Barak (Flash90)
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| By Israel Insider staff October 24, 2007 |
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Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Tuesday that he planned to approve a number of sanctions against the Gaza Strip following a sharp escalation in Qassam and mortar attacks against Israel.
"We need to show the residents of Gaza that life does not carry on freely when Kassam rockets fall in Israel," a senior defense official said, the Jerusalem Post reported. "If rockets are fired, then the Palestinians will pay a price."
Barak ordered Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai to recommend limitations on the delivery of various types of fuel, services and merchandise. Among the recommended measures is cutting off electricity for a specified time frame following Qassam attacks, a move that was made legal when Israel declared Gaza a "hostile territory" during the last spike in rocket attacks by militants in the Gaza Strip.
"It's clear that we have to cut off the supply of electricity and the supply of fuel," Vilnai told Army Radio Wednesday. "We will dramatically reduce the flow of electricity from Israel over several weeks."
The defense establishment decided that Israel will continue to supply products that are essential to prevent hunger, but "luxury" items will not be allowed.
"Oil, they'll get from us. Balsamic vinegar - no," Haaretz quoted a security source as saying.
Since Israel changed Gaza's status, it has blocked the shipment of certain merchandise into the Strip, including cigarettes, electric appliances, furniture, and toys. After Gaza-based terrorist groups tried to hide potassium for use in explosives in sacks of sugar, Israeli authorities also started inspecting sugar being brought to Gaza.
Another defense official stressed that Israel wants to make clear it will not tolerate Qassam attacks, not deprive the civilian population of its basic needs.
"We do not want to cause a humanitarian crisis," a defense official said. "But we do want to send a clear message to the Palestinians that the rocket fire will not be tolerated," the Post reported.
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