Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman called on residents of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to actively oppose the terror group, saying Hamas’ leadership had used Gaza’s civilian population to advance the agenda of the Iranian government.
In a social media post on the Arabic outreach Facebook page of the Israeli Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Liberman appealed to Gazans, following his decision not to renew fuel transfers to the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave if attacks on Israel continue.
Liberman noted Israel’s efforts to negotiate with Hamas, via Egypt, for a ceasefire in exchange for concessions aimed at improving the humanitarian conditions in the Strip.
“The State of Israel was willing to improve the lives of civilians in the Gaza Strip.”
But, Liberman continued, Hamas leaders decided “to use extreme violence, and chose of all days the day when diesel tanks were transferred to the Strip – that’s what led to our decision to halt the fuel transfers.”
Liberman halted the transfer of fuel to Gaza on Friday, after several Gaza terrorists who detonated a bomb on the Israel-Gaza border fence and attacked an IDF position inside Israel.
“Hamas alone bears full responsibility for the declining humanitarian conditions,” in the Gaza Strip, Liberman continued.
“I call on you, residents of Gaza: take action against the radical [Hamas] leadership, which has taken you hostage in service of Iran’s Ayatollahs.”
Living conditions in the Hamas-ruled Strip have declined in recent months, with the Palestinian Authority refusing to pay for electricity transfers from Israel to Gaza, leaving the Strip dependent on its sole functioning power plant.
With fuel scarce, the Gaza City power station is limited in output, leading to a rationing of electricity which limits each household to four hours of power a day.