Israel Declares Gaza 'Enemy Entity'
CBNNews.com
September 22, 2007
CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - On Wednesday, Israel's Security Cabinet voted unanimously to declare the Gaza Strip an "enemy entity."
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak briefed the Cabinet on his meeting Tuesday with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of General Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, other senior military officials, and experts on international law from the Military Advocate General.
Following Tuesday's meeting, the defense minister determined that declaring Gaza an enemy entity was Israel's first step in its efforts to stem the daily barrage of Kassam rockets launched from Gaza on southern Israeli communities.
The Security Council released a statement following the meeting.
"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," read the government's press release.
"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-terrorism operations against the terrorist organizations.
"Additional sanctions will be place on the Hamas regime in order to restrict the passage of various goods to the Gaza Strip and reduce the supply of fuel and electricity.
"Restrictions will also be placed on the movement of people to and from the Gaza Strip.
"The sanctions will be enacted following a legal examination, while taking into account both the humanitarian aspects relevant to the Gaza Strip and the intention to avoid a humanitarian crisis," the release stated.
Hamas officials said Israel's decision was tantamount to "a declaration of war," though firing Kassam rockets and mortar shells on Israelis isn't perceived in the same vein.
"This is a dangerous escalation of the attempt to legitimize destroying Palestinian land, criminal behavior and bringing a humanitarian disaster on the Palestinian people," declared Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum.
"This is Israel attempting a knock-out blow against Hamas following its successes in taking control of Gaza," he said, adding that he found the "silence and cooperation of the man in Ramallah with the enemy to be very curious indeed."
But Israel hopes that cutting back on electricity and fuel supplies may effectively stop the daily Kassam rocket attacks, which have caused death, injury, and extreme anxiety to Israelis living in western Negev communities for nearly seven years.
Sources: Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post, YNet
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