David Bitan: Gaza Humanitarian Crisis not Israel's problem

Jerusalem, 2 March, 2017 (TPS) -- Likud backbencher David Bitan, considered the PM’s parliamentary lapdog, said in an interview with Israel Radio that Gaza’s growing humanitarian crisis does not require Israel to consider a political solution with Hamas.

“Israel is not responsible for the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza, only Hamas is,” Bitan stated, saying that the international community has poured billions of dollars into Gaza. “If Hamas had used this money to build civilian infrastructure instead of terror tunnels and rocket factories, there would be no crisis.” He said Israel allows at least 1,000 trucks to bring supplies to Gaza every day.

Bitan’s comments followed yesterday’s statement made by IDF Head of Intelligence Major-General Herzi Halevi to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that “Gaza is on the brink of a major crisis, and that if the population despairs of seeing any political horizon, the situation will explode.”

The committee met to discuss the State Comptroller’s report on Operation Protective Edge published earlier this week, in which he criticized the government for “not adequately exploring the viability of a political solution.” Bitan criticized the Comptroller, saying he had exceeded his authority by commenting on political considerations.

There has been growing concern by international organizations that unless steps are taken to alleviate the crisis, Israel could find itself dealing with thousands of Gazans stampeding over the border fence in a desperate attempt to flee what has become an unbearable situation.

According to Gideon Bromberg, Executive Director of Ecopeace, a regional environmental NGO with offices in Israel, Jordan and the PA, Gaza is close to environmental collapse. He said the power shortages mean sewage goes untreated, and as a result, the fresh water supplies are being contaminated.  “Epidemics, germs and bacteria do not recognize fences and borders. If a major public health crisis breaks out, it will impact Israel.” He said Israel could find itself facing a mass migration of thousands of desperate Gazans stampeding over the border fence to escape an unbearable situation.

Ilana Messika contributed to this Report.