Status: 07/16/2022 10:37 p.m
Just a few days ago, Israel had pledged to issue 1,500 more work permits to Palestinians. After rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Gantz has now withdrawn this for the time being.
After rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, Israel has suspended announced relief for residents of the area. After assessing the security situation, Secretary of Defense Benny Gantz decided not to increase the number of work permits for Palestinian residents for the time being, the responsible authority said.
The quota was increased by 1,500 permits last week shortly before US President Joe Biden’s visit to the Middle East. With the additional work permits, a total of 15,500 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip would have been eligible to travel to Israel to work.
“The terrorist organization Hamas bears responsibility for all anti-Israel activities in and out of the Gaza Strip and will bear the consequences,” Gantz said.
Rocket fire and air attack
According to the Israeli military, several rockets were fired into southern Israel on Saturday night. A rocket was intercepted, three more landed in an open area. Nobody got hurt.
According to its own statements, the Israeli army then bombed one of the most important rocket production sites in the Gaza Strip. The coastal strip is controlled by the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas.