(Fathom-BICOM) Samuel Nurding interviews IDF Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Giora Eiland - Gaza is a state. It has very clear borders, a central government in Hamas, an independent foreign policy and an army. Israel does not have any territorial interest in Gaza, nor any political interest or economic interest. We simply don't want them to shoot at us. The international community does not recognize that Gaza is a de facto state and insists that all financial aid is given to the PA in Ramallah. But the interest of the PA is not to see Gaza prosper and succeed because that might enhance Hamas. The PA wants to make the situation in Gaza as poor as possible in order for Fatah to succeed against Hamas. After the 2014 war, Egypt actually blocked the border with Gaza. Then the international community made a decision to allow Egypt to lead the mechanism to rebuild Gaza and the PA was the address to send the money. Now, if there are two players who have the least interest in helping to rebuild Gaza, it is Egypt and the PA. Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Giora Eiland is a former head of Israel's National Security Council.
2017-05-10 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive