Defense committee chair wants to reduce Gaza’s electricity, water

11 July 2014, 1:03 pm

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Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman, MK Ze’ev Elkin, argues that Israel should pressure Hamas by reducing the electricity and water supply to the Gaza Strip.

If such a move brings an end to the rocket fire, it would be a far more humane means of squeezing Hamas than a potential Israeli ground invasion, Elkin argues.

MK Zee'v Elkin (LIkud), chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, in the Knesset on Monday, May 12, 2014. (photo credit: Flash 90) — MK Zee’v Elkin (LIkud), chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, in the Knesset, May 12, 2014 (photo credit: Flash90)

“This operation must reach a point that Hamas is hurt enough to bring quiet to southern residents,” he tells Army Radio this afternoon.

“If there is no choice, we’ll launch a ground operation. But we have to consider pressuring [Hamas] with other tools. We continue to provide electricity and water to Gaza. [Reducing the supply of both] would be more humane than a ground invasion, which would lead to significant deaths on our side and theirs.”