Hamas, acting like an independent country, is demanding that foreign visitors obtain visas so that it can ”protect” them.
The action, announced on Saturday, came after a warning from the United States that it would cut off its $100 million aid to the Gaza region if the terrorist organization insists on audits of American non-profit organizations working in the Hamas-controlled area.
Hamas and American officials eventually worked out a compromise, but only after Hamas shut down one American-funded NGO that refused to cooperate with an audit.
Hamas spokesman Ihab Ghussein explained that the demand for visas will help Hamas “protect” visitors.
However, the official designation by the United States and other countries that Hamas is an outlawed terrorist organization would make it difficult for international groups to operate in Hamas-controlled Gaza because providing a visa would in effect recognize Hamas and violate a ban on having direct contact with the local authority.
Hamas has ruled Gaza since it ousted the rival Fatah faction, headed by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, five years ago in a bloody terrorist military war.