Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Major General Yoav Mordechai on Thursday spoke of the relationship between Hamas in Gaza and the Islamic State (ISIS) jihadist group, in an interview with the Palestinian website Dunia Al-Watan.
"The relationship between Hamas and ISIS in the Sinai continues with cooperation as there is mutual trust between the groups," said Mordechai.
He explained that terrorists from Gaza were fighting in the Sinai desert for ISIS, and vice-versa ISIS terrorists enter Gaza to receive medical treatment.
The COGAT then confirmed reports regarding the decision to ease the condition on Gazans who want to travel abroad. He said that in 2014, 65,000 exit permits were issued and in 2015, 103,000 permits were issued.
Mordechai further stressed that Palestinians exiting Gaza must first subject to Jordanian approval and undergo a thorough security check at the Erez border crossing on the Israel–Gaza barrier. Only then they may leave via the Allenby Bridge to Jordan or via Ben-Gurion Airport.
In recognition of how the move may be exploited by terrorists, Mordechai sent a clear message to Hamas warning that if they attempt to take advantage of the Erez crossing to smuggle weapons and gather intel, it will directly affect the process of reconstructing Gaza and citizens will lose their exit permits.