Gaza City: A spokesman for Gaza's Hamas rulers
says foreigners must now obtain visas to enter the Gaza Strip.
Ihab Ghussein's comments today come a day after the United
States warned it would cut USD 100 million in American aid
money if Hamas continues its "unwarranted audits" of local
American nonprofit organisations.
Hamas recently shut down a US-financed aide group that
refused an audit.
Ghussein says the government must know who is staying in
Gaza in order to protect foreigners.
If implemented, the visa demand could complicate the work
of international aid groups in Gaza since the US and UN
consider Hamas a terrorist organisation.
As such, many international aid groups are prohibited from
having direct contact with Hamas or providing the Islamic
group with cash.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, August 13, 2011, 20:41