JERUSALEM, Jul 17 (NNN-PNA) – Israel decided yesterday, to cancel a just recently increased quota of work permits for Palestinian labourers from Gaza, in response to rocket attacks earlier in the day.
The decision was announced by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Israel’s military liaison to the Palestinians.
“Hamas takes responsibility for everything that happens in the Gaza Strip,” read the statement from COGAT.
Earlier yesterday, four rockets were fired into southern Israel by militants in the Gaza Strip, with no casualties or damages reported. In response, Israeli fighter jets launched an airstrike in the Strip against what it said, Hamas military targets.
The incident occurred hours after U.S. President Joe Biden completed his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The decision to increase the work permits was taken earlier in the week, as part of a series of gestures Israel made ahead of Biden’s visit.
Israel gave hundreds of work permits to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, allowing them to work in Israel to make a living.
The Hamas militant organisation fought several conflicts with Israel since it ruled the Gaza Strip in 2007. Since then, Israel has imposed a strict blockade on the territory, which Hamas has vowed to break through violence.
The Gaza Strip is considered one of the poorest territories in the world.
