Berlin - The German government Friday declined to criticize the Israeli government for declaring the Gaza Strip under Hamas leadership a "hostile entity."Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said the background against which the Israeli cabinet had taken the decision had to be taken into account. He pointed to repeated rocket attacks on Israeli territory in recent weeks.
"We are confident that the Israeli government will carry out with responsibility the decision it has taken," Jaeger said.
He noted that in its decision taken this week, the Israeli cabinet had referred to "the Gaza Strip under Hamas leadership" as hostile, not to the entire population of Gaza.
In response to repeated questioning, Jaeger declined to express criticism of the Israeli cabinet decision.
On Wednesday, Israel declared the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip "hostile territory" and announced new economic sanctions, including cutting down on electricity and fuel supplies in response to a surge in Palestinian rocket attacks from the enclave.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "very concerned" at the decision.
