The security cabinet's decision yesterday declaring the Gaza Strip "hostile territory" opens the door to various restrictions, such as limiting the supply of fuel and electricity to the strip. This declaration is political, but it carries practical legal consequences.

Alternatively, the cabinet could have declared Gaza an "enemy area" under the 1939 Trading with the Enemy Ordinance. Trading with the enemy includes providing electricity to the area, and it would thus have been prohibited except with special permission from the finance minister.

The cabinet's decision to instead deem Gaza "hostile territory" probably means that various steps will be taken, such as limiting the supply of fuel and water. But these supplies will not be totally cut off, which would be prohibited due to the basic humanitarian obligations imposed by international law. These obligations apply to Israel despite the disengagement from Gaza, since Israel is considered to have effective control over the area due to its control over Gaza's air, sea and land borders.