VIDEO - "Is the blood of the soldiers and civilians not as precious as rice, sugar and tomatoes?" asked Knesset MemberIsrael Hasson (Yisrael Beitenu )on Tuesday in response to the renewal of operations at the Suffa border crossing in central Gaza and the decision to continue facilitating the passage of humanitarian aid to Palestinians a mere four days after the bombing of the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Hasson, who is a member of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, warned that "he who fails to disengage from Gaza will unilaterally bring Hamas to power in the West Bank as well. Israel must declare that we shall not trade fuel or any other goods with those who trade in the blood of our children."
Since the early morning hours close to 100 trucks packed with food provisions and medical equipment have passed through Suffa to Gaza.
MK Otniel Schneller (Kadima )took a somewhat more subdued approach: "Success in the war against Hamas' terrorism is dependent on the isolation of the civilian population and preventing a dire humanitarian situation in the Strip, therefore it is good that the gates have been opened – though it would be even better if we cracked open the heads of the terrorists."
Labor MK Danny Yatom toed the official line put forward by the defense establishment: "We must close the crossings and reassess the security situation from time to time. We cannot continue dealing with the crossings as though nothing has happened.
"I reject the claim that we should be responsible for the welfare of Gaza's residents while Hamas, which controls the territory, launches attacks on the crossings."
Right-wing parties in the opposition were outraged to hear of the decision. MK Effie Eitam (National Union – NRP )said the government "is coming to the rescue of the Hamas regime instead of overthrowing it. Instead of tightening the blockade and increasing military action, it chooses to open crossings and refrain from carrying out offensive strikes."
Eitam slammed the government for repeating the mistakes made during the Second Lebanon War. "(Again) this is a situation of foot-dragging and failing to achieve a decisive outcome," he said.