IDF to forbid Palestinians' passage from Gaza to West Bank
Senior army official says dire situation in Strip will continue to deteriorate; no intention of allowing passage of Palestinians to West Bank via Israel for fear some of may be terrorists
"Some 150-200 Palestinians remained at the Erez crossing, but there is currently no intention of allowing their transfer to the West Bank via Israel for fear that some of them may be terrorists," said Tuesday the head of the of the Gaza District Coordination Office (DCO) with the Palestinians, Colonel Nir Peres.
“With each passing day the situation in the Strip will continue to deteriorate,” he said. “We are trying to provide as much assistance as possible, but eventually Hamas’ violent regime will only hurt the citizens more,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday the army permitted the evacuation of a number of wounded Palestinians from the Erez crossing to Israeli hospitals, but dozens more are still waiting for their entry permits.
Speaking to Ynet, Colonel Peres said, “In the past six months we have seen an improvement in the Palestinians’ economic situation. Agricultural exports have increased and there was a small decrease in the unemployment level, but unfortunately the events of the past few days ruined everything.
“Obviously the situation will have an effect on every single citizen,” he said.
The IDF force manning the Erez crossing is doing its best to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinians there, but is limited by security and diplomatic concerns.
'The demand for food will grow'
Peres explained that gunmen could launch an attack on the crossing at any given moment, as was the case Sunday night, adding that it was impossible to check each and every person at the site.
The colonel told Ynet that the DCO is working to allow the transfer to the Strip of food and medicines provided by various humanitarian organizations, which are also responsible for distributing the supplies.
On Wednesday a number of trucks carrying supplies are expected to enter the Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
“Currently there is food and medical supplies in Gaza and we are sending in as much as we can, but it is clear that as this situation continues to deteriorate problems may arise.
“The demand for food will grow; there will be those who purchase large amounts for the future, and others will purposely delay the selling of supplies to hike prices,” he said.
