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Members of the Hamas Executive force standing in a line at their headquarters in Gaza on Wednesday. (Reuters)
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IDF formulates plan to limit services to civilians in Gaza
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and News Agencies

Israel Defense Forces began formulating plans to limit services to the civilian population in Gaza Thursday, following the cabinet's decision Wednesday to declare the Gaza Strip a "hostile territory".

The security cabinet voted unanimously Wednesday to impose restrictions on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip including limiting the supply of fuel and electricity from Israel to Gaza, the transfer of goods through the crossings, the movement of people to and from the Strip, stopping visits to prisoners, and increased monitoring of funds.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Israel on Wednesday to
re
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consider its decision to declare the Gaza Strip a hostile territory, warning that any cutoff of vital services would violate international law and punish the already suffering civilian population.

In one of his toughest statements aimed at Israel since taking the reins of the UN on January 1, Ban said he was very concerned at the Israeli government's declaration earlier Wednesday and its announced intent to interrupt essential services such as electricity and fuel to the civilian population.

"Such a step would be contrary to Israel's obligations towards the civilian population under international humanitarian and human rights law," he said.

"I call for Israel to reconsider this decision," the secretary-general said in a statement read by UN spokeswoman Michele Montas.


"The limitations will be implemented in accordance with formal legal position papers and the humanitarian situation in the field," read a statement following the cabinet decision.

A senior government official said that two approaches were presented during the meeting. One was to cut off electricity in response to every rocket. This approach was found to be problematic in terms of international law because it would constitute collective punishment.

The second approach, which the ministers accepted, was to compromise the ability of Hamas to govern in Gaza as the quality of life deteriorated. "We will reduce the amount of megawattage we provide to the Strip, and Hamas will have to decide whether to provide electricity to hospitals or weapons lathes," the official said.

The cabinet also authorized the closure of crossings in response to rocket fire for up to 48 hours.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said during the meeting that "the price of a military operation in Gaza is known to all, and in any case conditions are not ripe for this."

Defense Minister Ehud Barak echoed this sentiment, adding "We will embark on action at the right time, not on order to let off steam."

However, Barak also said that "every day that passes brings us closer to an operation in Gaza; we will decide on the means of an operation and the goals when the time comes."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday that Hamas "is indeed a hostile entity. It is a hostile entity to the U.S. as well."

Speaking at a news conference following her meeting with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Rice added, "However, we will not abandon the innocent Palestinian in Gaza and indeed will make every effort to deal with their humanitarian needs."

Hamas denounces curbs on Gaza as 'declaration of war'
Hamas denounced the security cabinet's decision and the sanctions as a "declaration of war."

"They aim to starve our people and force them to accept humiliating formulas that could emerge from the so-called November peace conference," said Hamas spokesman Barhoum, referring to a U.S.-sponsored meeting expected to be held in two months.

"It is a declaration of war and continues the criminal, terrorist Zionist actions against our people."

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israel's plan, calling it an oppressive decision.

"This oppressive decision will only strengthen the choking embargo imposed on 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip, increase their suffering and deepen their tragedy," Abbas' office said in a statement.

"It is collective punishment against the people of Gaza, and discourages serious political discussion," said Ashraf Ajrami, a minister in Abbas' government.

"We are going to ask the Americans to pressure Israel to refrain from taking such action," added Palestinian Information Minister Riyad al-Malki

Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu said that he welcomed the decision. "However at the same time the government decided to disengage from Gaza, the prime minister is promoting a diplomatic plan that will bring about the establishment of 'Hamastan' in Judea and Samaria, and to the threat of missiles not only on communities in the south but also on Tel Aviv and the Dan region."

Meretz Chairman MK Yossi Beilin, on the other hand, called the cabinet decision "foolish as well as dangerous." Beilin added that the decision would strengthen Hamas, increase distress in Gaza, and damage Israel's image internationally.

Sanctions to be imposed on Gaza in stages
The sanctions will be imposed on the Gaza Strip in stages, with Israel responding to rocket fire by disrupting electricity during the first stage.

The decision to disrupt Gaza's power supply was in part based on the fact that the electricity is used to power the metal workshops in which Qassam rockets are manufactured.

Participants in the security cabinet meeting told The Associated Press, however, that no decision had been made on when to begin cutting electricity.

According to Israeli and Palestinian officials, Gaza's population uses approximately 200 megawatts of electricity, out of which 120 are provided directly from Israeli power lines, 17 are delivered from Egypt and 65 are produced at a plant in Gaza.

The disruption of the fuel supply will be delayed until the second stage, as the decision is still subject to the findings of an ongoing legal examination of the contracts between the National Infrastructure Ministry and the Palestinians.

Subject to the legal examination, the ministers decided to completely cut off the fuel supply to the Gaza Strip, with the exception of humanitarian needs. For instance, Israel will continue to supply Gaza hospitals with the necessary fuel to power their generators.

In addition, the crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip will further reduce operations. The crossings will only allow in food and medical supplies, and other goods, such as water pipes that are also used to manufacture Qassams, will not be let in. Human traffic at the crossings will be brought to a complete halt.

Israel will reduce ties with the Strip to a bare minimum. "This [decision] allows Israel to order a number of administrative sanctions against the Gaza Strip, of course on condition they don't cross the red line in terms of inflicting humanitarian damage," said Public Security Minister Avi Dichter.

Meanwhile, Israel Radio reported that deposed Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas met early Wednesday with Islamic Jihad leaders, in an attempt to convince them to halt the rocket fire.
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  1.   collective punishment 11:06  |  jackie 19/09/07
  2.   Do something, dammit! 11:45  |  Slibovitz 19/09/07
  3.   Israel - morally superior? 11:52  |  Mahona 19/09/07
  4.   Maan News reports that it is the generals who have presented the 12:00  |  lakshmi 19/09/07
  5.   #1 Jackie, the qassams are indiscriminate 12:11  |  Johnboy 19/09/07
  6.   "Revenge Rush". So addictive..... 12:27  |  Natallie Durson 19/09/07
  7.   Gaza terrorists 12:37  |  Hilda 19/09/07
  8.   I hope this will stop the Kassams. If not, tougher measures will 12:39  |  Briton 19/09/07
  9.   The Gaza Strip is an enemy territory controlled by 12:40  |  Avihua 19/09/07
  10.   Collective punishment 12:40  |  Boycott 19/09/07
  11.   Well done, very pleasing, way to go 12:42  |  Johnny 19/09/07
  12.   To all you whiners 12:43  |  ChanahS 19/09/07
  13.   Mahona 12:44  |  ChanahS 19/09/07
  14.   Lakshmi and the generals 12:46  |  ChanahS 19/09/07
  15.   lakshmi on hostile acts 12:53  |  Lynn 19/09/07
  16.   "collective punishment" 12:54  |  Ky 19/09/07
  17.   They can get it all from Egypt 12:54  |  Moshavnik 19/09/07
  18.   # 10 Boycott 12:54  |  Lynn 19/09/07
  19.   Not Collective Punishment, Because Hamas Can Stop The Missiles 12:55  |  dyinglikeflies 19/09/07
  20.   Olmert obeying to Rice 12:59  |  Jonathan S 19/09/07
  21.   #5 - IJ is simply a proxy for Hamas and you know it 12:59  |  redmike 19/09/07
  22.   # 2 Hamas and responsibility 13:01  |  Lynn 19/09/07
  23.   If we are vile enough, we can make people love us 13:02  |  Tim 19/09/07
  24.   What any other country would do without hesitation 13:03  |  Briton 19/09/07
  25.   Collective Punishment of Sderot 13:03  |  Jane 19/09/07
  26.   Durson-Only You Feel a Rush 13:07  |  Jane 19/09/07
  27.   No to collective punishment. Yes to wide security zone. 13:13  |  Shlomo from Tel-Aviv 19/09/07
  28.   boycott and Natalie 13:13  |  British academic 19/09/07
  29.   I am fully with you, Avihua 13:14  |  Albert 19/09/07
  30.   THIS IS INDEPENDENCE,DON`T THEY LIKE IT? 13:18  |  Ian 19/09/07
  31.   Why Make Gaza Children Suffer More??? 13:20  |  Mark Turner 19/09/07
  32.   Finally! 13:21  |  MR 19/09/07
  33.   "civilian levers" 13:22  |  Murray 19/09/07
  34.   Downward spiral 13:23  |  jjvanka 19/09/07
  35.   To Johnyboy 13:26  |  MR 19/09/07
  36.   Tim 23 13:31  |  ChanahS 19/09/07
  37.   Durson and her drivel 13:33  |  Dr. Dizzle 19/09/07
  38.   Good - it`s about time. This is what the Pals understand.. 13:33  |  Evan 19/09/07
  39.   #natalli and fans. 13:34  |  jan/peter 19/09/07
  40.   to # 24 - you`re right 13:34  |  Evan 19/09/07
  41.   It`s disgusting how Israel has dehumanised Palestine 13:35  |  Stephen Murray 19/09/07
  42.   #31:Why make Gaza children suffer more? 13:39  |  Stephen Murray 19/09/07
  43.   1.5 million to suffer 13:40  |  Palestinian 19/09/07
  44.   #natalli 13:41  |  Jan-Peter 19/09/07
  45.   Turner-Their Parents Make Them Suffer 13:48  |  Jane 19/09/07
  46.   israeli peace 13:49  |  sam 19/09/07
  47.   Power cuts???? 13:56  |  Haaretz Reader 19/09/07
  48.   jjvanka 14:02  |  MR 19/09/07
  49.   Be Rational.... Be Logical.......l 14:02  |  Maher Abu-Gaith 19/09/07
  50.   sounds fair to me 14:05  |  Harry 19/09/07
  51.   judging Israel/Jewish 14:05  |  Jane 19/09/07
  52.   It`s not collective punishment Lakshmi 14:07  |  Jasmine Murphy 19/09/07
  53.   Palestinian in Gaza 14:09  |  Lynn 19/09/07
  54.   It is about F*****g time... 14:09  |  Gershon Reed 19/09/07
  55.   Olmert`s puberty 14:09  |  martyrmaker 19/09/07
  56.   I really don`t care if the response is... 14:13  |  Dutch Dirk 19/09/07
  57.   #18 Lynn 14:14  |  Boycott 19/09/07
  58.   well if you play with fire you are going to get burned 14:16  |  Panther 19/09/07
  59.   A Real Threat Or An Olmert Threat 14:24  |  Tony Anthony 19/09/07
  60.   The War Crimes State of Israel 14:25  |  Clickfool 19/09/07
  61.   Stephen Murray # 42 14:27  |  ChanahS 19/09/07
  62.   Jackie you fool 14:28  |  Karim 19/09/07
  63.   Stephen Murray it is you who are disgusting. 14:30  |  Panther 19/09/07
  64.   Boycott 14:30  |  Jasmine Murphy 19/09/07
  65.   Slibovitz 14:31  |  Karim 19/09/07
  66.   Clickfool war is a crime in itself 14:33  |  Jasmine Murphy 19/09/07
  67.   #41&42 Who really cares about your boycott 14:33  |  Isac 19/09/07
  68.   Palestinian #43 I Agree 14:36  |  Tzfonit 19/09/07
  69.   Steven Murray - cue the Hamas Mickey Mouse 14:39  |  British academic 19/09/07
  70.   Gaza 14:40  |  Jim 19/09/07
  71.   Briton 14:40  |  Karim 19/09/07
  72.   mahona 14:41  |  ka 19/09/07
  73.   BRAVO, Long Overdue 14:43  |  Ron 19/09/07
  74.   Message #60 of Clickfool 14:45  |  Yitzhak 19/09/07
  75.   "Enemy Entity"....don`t make the world laugh 14:46  |  Tim 19/09/07
  76.   No cutoff of utilities 14:47  |  Avrum 19/09/07
  77.   Oh durson my dursohn! How predictable she is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 14:49  |  Vittorio 19/09/07