Israel warns Hamas against breaching border during demonstration

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Israel will not intervene in any demonstrations that take place in the Gaza Strip, but should those demonstrations spill into Israeli territory, Hamas would be responsible for the repercussions, a joint statement issued by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Sunday. "Israel will defend its land and prevent infiltrations of its borders and into its sovereignty," the statement read. "Hamas is behind the activities which, not for the first time, put the civilian population at the front." The statement emphasized that the Islamic organization bares sole responsibility should the protests get out of hand. "Israel will not intervene in demonstrations which take place inside the Gaza Strip," the statement said. "Israel acts to prevent deterioration, but emphasizes in a way which is not ambiguous, that if [deterioration] occurs, the sole responsibility likes with Hamas."