Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Tuesday that the country intends to increase the number of Palestinian workers allowed into Israel from the Gaza Strip.
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"We intend to expand our civilian humanitarian policy, including an immediate increase in the quota of Palestinian workers who can enter Israel," Gantz said during a tour of the southern border with military officials that included IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi.
In October, as part of the ceasefire efforts with Hamas, Israel expanded the work permit program to allow up to 10,000 workers to enter the country.
Gantz said, "Since Operation Guardian of the Walls, we have created a new deterrence equation. We are building the force and the operational plans, and we are creating a civilian equation – directly with the residents of Gaza."
Roughly half of Gazans are unemployed, according to The Times of Israel.
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"If, while maintaining relative calm, we make progress on the return of Israeli prisoners and missing persons, we will be able to expand this policy and develop the Gaza Strip," he added, referring to the two Israeli civilians and the remains of two Israeli soldiers held by the terrorist group Hamas.
"Unfortunately, the people of Gaza are captives of the Hamas leadership, which deprives them of a better livelihood and a future for their children. The Hamas leadership and Gaza residents will bear the responsibility for a deterioration of the situation in Gaza or other places," the minister warned.
Israel's Shin Bet security agency has warned of the risk posed by Gazans entering the country, as there have been several cases of Palestinians abusing permits to spy or conduct activity for Hamas.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
