Major General Yoav Mordechai Poli, the commanding officer of the civil administration of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), has threatened to close the checkpoints that allow Gaza residents into Israel.
Following Operation Protective Edge, Israel decided to allow some Gazans in need of medical assistance or in need of finding work to come into Israel. Those permitted enter through the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings. Recently Hamas has been coercing these Gazans to carry out terror attacks inside Israel whenever they cross the checkpoint.
Poli threatened Hamas, saying that unless they cease coercion and incitement of those who cross over into Israel, Israel will have no choice but to close the crossings.
He issued the warning via the Al-Quds newspaper, as reported by Israel's Channel 10 news. According to the report, Poli said that, unless Hamas desists from trying to enlist every person who obtains a visa to enter Israel, Israel will be forced to shut down the crossings permanently. Poli said that the issue is making Israel think twice before issuing a permit to any Gaza resident.
Poli added that Hamas is preparing itself for another war against Israel at any cost, and does not care about the well-being of the residents of Gaza, financially or otherwise.