(AP) Dan Perry and Karin Laub - IDF Maj.-Gen. Eitan Dangot, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, said in an interview Monday that he is pursuing a complex and delicate strategy to enable exports from and development in Gaza while preventing the Islamic militants who rule it from getting credit for any progress. Dangot said Israel seeks to work with Hamas' rival, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, to help revive the economy. Fayyad would set priorities for what Gaza needs and place his people at the borders, Dangot explained. The PA must "show the flag there, to show their existence - even if 100 meters from there is a Hamas checkpoint." "We are fighting against a terror regime," said Dangot. "You cannot be in a situation where Hamas gets credit for a policy" that improves the lives of people. He explained that continued import restrictions are necessary because of concerns that cement, steel and other items could be diverted by Hamas to build bunkers and tunnels.
2010-10-28 09:19:47Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive