Gantz threatens to punish Gaza if rockets continue, says status quo protected

Defense Minister Benny Gantz warns Palestinians in the Gaza Strip that steps Israel has taken to boost their economy are threatened by terror groups ramping up incitement and launching rockets at Israel.

“As I have also told leaders from countries in the region, we are maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount, and we will not allow terrorists or provocateurs to harm the holy places,” Gantz says during a tour of a Border Police base in the West Bank.

There have been violent clashes between Palestinians and police in recent days at the Al-Aqsa Mosque which sits atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Israel has accused terror groups of inciting these clashes over what it says are false claims that Israel has changed its long-standing policy of not allowing Jews to pray in the area.

Gantz says efforts to pull Gaza out of its economic malaise are at risk, the day after a rocket from Gaza was shot into Israel, drawing reprisal strikes.

“If the incitement and [rocket] fire continue, the terror organizations will be severely harmed, as will the residents of Gaza, who are currently benefiting from the moves we have taken to develop the economy,” Gantz says.

“These are moves we are planning to expand if stability is maintained, or we can roll them back, if the heads of Hamas choose to hurt them,” he adds.

Israel recently okayed increasing the number of Palestinians who can enter Israel for work to the highest quota since a blockade was imposed on the coastal enclave more than 15 years ago.