Israel on Tuesday evening barred Swiss officials from entering the Gaza Strip following a series of meetings between representatives of the European country and Hamas leaders.
The ban was issued by war minister Avigdor Lieberman after the matter was brought to his attention by the army’s coordinator of government activities in the occupied territories Yoav Mordechai Hadashot news (formerly Channel 2) reported Tuesday.
The TV report said Lieberman gave the order until the matter is fully investigated.
Lieberman said he would not consider lifting the restrictions until consultations were held with Swiss officials.
The decision to order the prohibition came after a pair of meetings between Swiss diplomats and top Hamas figures in Gaza in recent weeks including the group’s leader Ismail Haneyya and its Gaza chief Yehya Sinwar.
Sometime earlier the Swiss Foreign Ministry called for intensifying efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crises rocking the blockaded Gaza Strip including water and power blackouts.
