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An IDF soldier walking past captured Qassam launchers after a recent operation in Gaza. (Reuters)
Last update - 00:00 19/09/2007
Hamas denounces curbs on Gaza as 'declaration of war'
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel, Gaza, Hamas, Rice

Hamas denounced as a "declaration of war" the Wednesday decision of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's security cabinet to declare Gaza a "hostile entity" and to approve curbs in electricity and fuel supplies to the population of the strip.

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

"This oppressive decision will only strengthen the chocking 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.

In response to the cabinet's decision, Arab MK Taleb A-Sana (Ra'am Ta'al) said, "Israel is defining the occupied as a hostile entity in order to excuse itself from war crimes."

Arab MK Ahmed Tibi warned that cutting off the power supply would worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "Olmert's government has gone through a process of 'Liebermanization," he said, in reference to hard-lined Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman.

Shas: Tie power switch to rocket's tail
Shas minister Yitzhak Cohen said during the meeting that the steps Israel must make it clear that to every Palestinian action, there is an immediate Israeli reaction against Gaza.

"The Gaza power switch should be directly linked to the rocket's tail," he said.

But Public Security Minister Avi Dichter indicated that the government intended to show a measure of restraint in applying the restrictions. "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," Dichter said.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who arrived in Israel Wednesday to prepare for the November, told a news conference in Jerusalem that Washington considered Hamas to be a "hostile entity."

But Rice pledged the United States "would not abandon the innocent Palestinians", a reference to humanitarian aid.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who held talks with Rice, said "all the needs that are more than the humanitarian needs will not be supplied by Israel to the Gaza Strip"
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From the bunker
Hamas says Gaza won't break, victory over Israel is near.
Banned
Israel bans Arab parties from running in upcoming elections.
  1.   Israel chickens out as usual and lets Sderot to fend for itself 16:22  |  Absolute Sweden 19/09/07
  2.   Hamas Idiots 16:52  |  Rick 19/09/07
  3.   Hamas declares "up" is now "down" 16:57  |  Polybios 19/09/07
  4.   Rice speaking with forked tongue, as usual 17:02  |  Polybios 19/09/07
  5.   Fire Olmert already 17:04  |  Polybios 19/09/07
  6.   HAMAS?? DECLARATION OF WAR? 17:05  |  Brad 19/09/07
  7.   ...yes, till now we were playing soccer 17:12  |  Ugy the she camel 19/09/07
  8.   Final solutions 17:19  |  Frank Kovacic 19/09/07
  9.   ...the innocent Palestinians"...they are 72% Hamas 17:20  |  SuperClickfool 19/09/07
  10.   Israel has the right to defend itself 17:25  |  Cary 19/09/07
  11.   Hamas, the gangsters who launch daily rockets at 17:26  |  Dora 19/09/07
  12.   Hamas Senile. We are already at war with Hamas 17:31  |  Semsem 19/09/07
  13.   The other side... 17:33  |  Derock 19/09/07
  14.   every kassam 17:35  |  real vision 19/09/07
  15.   Hamas pulls a JB, what a surprise... 17:35  |  David Teich 19/09/07
  16.   since it is ramadan 17:37  |  real vision 19/09/07
  17.   Finaly 17:47  |  Daniel 19/09/07
  18.   Finaly 17:47  |  Daniel 19/09/07
  19.   Declaration of war? 17:47  |  allanmc 19/09/07
  20.   Friends. 17:49  |  Charles Smyth 19/09/07
  21.   good decison 17:55  |  Tina 19/09/07
  22.   Firing Qassams is of course NOT an act of war??? 17:57  |  Ari ben Yisrael 19/09/07
  23.   Gaza - Hamas - War 18:04  |  Nina 19/09/07
  24.   What a joke! 18:06  |  MichaelF 19/09/07
  25.   To #9 18:10  |  Jacoub 19/09/07
  26.   Hamas 18:26  |  EZ 19/09/07
  27.   good 18:35  |  Joey 19/09/07
  28.   and qassams and mortar fire were friendly. Now they tell me. 18:36  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 19/09/07
  29.   Jacoub#25 - let`s look at the broader picture 19:55  |  William 19/09/07
  30.   Don`t miss the PR opportunity 19:57  |  William 19/09/07
  31.   Hey #10! 20:39  |  F. Kovacic 19/09/07
  32.   Gazan Expectations 21:11  |  Jay 19/09/07
  33.   Charles Smyth # 20 03:43  |  Philippe 21/09/07
  34.   HAMAS 06:12  |  PETER S 13/01/09
 Read & React
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Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza
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IDF: Hamas rocket fire down 50% since start of Gaza op
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Gideon Levy: Israel's leaders will pay for the bloodshed in Gaza
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Aluf Benn: Israel has a double standard when it comes to UN resolutions
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