Israel declares Gaza Strip 'enemy entity'; preparing for military incursion
{{date|September 19, 2007}}
[[Image:Gz-map2.png|right|200px|thumb|Map of the Gaza Strip.]]
The [[Israel|Israeli]] government has declared the [[w:Gaza Strip|Gaza Strip]] an "enemy entity" due to the continued firing of rockets into Israel from Gaza. Gaza's ruling [[w:Hamas|Hamas party]] has stated that it considers the announcement a "declaration of war." 

The definition means that Israel could stop supplying Gaza with fuel, electricity and other commodities.

"Following extensive legal consultations, Israel has decided to declare Gaza as a hostile entity, with all the international implications. This move will prepare the groundwork for sanctions against Gaza, such as the interruption of gas, electricity and water supply, which will occur in a gradual process," said an unnamed Israeli government official.

[[w:Ehud Barak|Ehud Barak]], the Israeli Minister of Defense said the "objective is to weaken Hamas" , while Hamas spokesman [[w:Fawzi Barhoum|Fawzi Barhoum]] suggested "...they aim to starve our people and force them to accept humiliating formulas that could emerge from the so-called November peace conference," 

Barak also said that Israel is considering a military operation in the Gaza Strip saying that "every day that passes brings us closer to an operation in Gaza."

The democratically-elected [[w:Hamas|Hamas party]], and its militant wing the [[w:Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades|Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades]], [[w:Hamas#International_perception_of_Hamas|have been labeled]] "foreign terrorist organization"s by a number of bodies including the [[European Union]], [[Israel]], the [[United States]], [[Canada]] and others.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hxuqac9hsV3vZkpDSJlcAcJjjgFw
|title= Israel declares Gaza 'hostile entity'
|author=
|pub=AFP
|date=September 19, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1972328720070919
|title=Hamas says Gaza sanctions "declaration of war"
|author=
|pub=Reuters
|date=September 19, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7002576.stm
|title=Israel to declare Gaza 'hostile'
|author=
|pub=BBC News
|date=September 19, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-09-19-voa9.cfm
|title=Israel Decides to Brand Gaza 'Enemy Entity'
|author=
|pub=Voice of America
|date=September 19, 2007}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Israel]]
[[Category:Gaza Strip]]
[[Category:Hamas]]
[[Category:Military]]

[[es:Israel declara a la Franja de Gaza como 'entidad enemiga']]
Map of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli government has declared the Gaza Strip an "enemy entity" due to the continued firing of rockets into Israel from Gaza. Gaza's ruling Hamas party has stated that it considers the announcement a "declaration of war." 

The definition means that Israel could stop supplying Gaza with fuel, electricity and other commodities.

"Following extensive legal consultations, Israel has decided to declare Gaza as a hostile entity, with all the international implications. This move will prepare the groundwork for sanctions against Gaza, such as the interruption of gas, electricity and water supply, which will occur in a gradual process," said an unnamed Israeli government official.

Ehud Barak, the Israeli Minister of Defense said the "objective is to weaken Hamas" , while Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum suggested "...they aim to starve our people and force them to accept humiliating formulas that could emerge from the so-called November peace conference," 

Barak also said that Israel is considering a military operation in the Gaza Strip saying that "every day that passes brings us closer to an operation in Gaza."

The democratically-elected Hamas party, and its militant wing the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, have been labeled "foreign terrorist organization"s by a number of bodies including the European Union, Israel, the United States, Canada and others.
Politics and conflicts Middle East Israel Gaza Strip Hamas Military