Israel: Gaza Strip is an enemy entity
Wednesday, 19 Sep 2007 16:09
Israel brands Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip as an "enemy entity"
Israel has labelled the Gaza Strip as an "enemy entity", increasing the chances the Jewish state will cut off utility supplies to the Hamas-controlled territory.
The decision from Israel's security cabinet comes after intermittent rocket-fire from Gaza into Israeli border towns.
Commentators say that Israel could now argue that it is not bound by international law that stipulates occupied territories must be supplied with energy.
Despite the withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers two years ago, some Palestinians claim the tight control retained over the region's air space and coastal waters mean the 38-year occupation has never ended.
Hamas, which violently ousted rival faction Fatah from the Gaza Strip in June, has said Israeli's stance is a "declaration of war".
"It is a declaration of war and continues the criminal, terrorist Zionist actions against our people," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum.
While it has continued to supply fuel, water and electricity to Gaza, with a population of 1.5 million, Israel has withheld Palestinian tax revenues.
The announcement comes as US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice arrives in Israel for one-day peace talks.
At a press conference with Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni, Ms Rice said that Hamas was a "hostile entity", but refused to extend the label to the entire Gaza Strip.
"We will not abandon the innocent Palestinians in Gaza and indeed will make every effort to deal with their humanitarian needs," she said.
Meanwhile Israel is remaining tight-lipped on claims from Damascus that it attacked a Syrian nuclear facility in a covert operation earlier this month.