Israel’s Minister of Public Security, Gilad Erdan, said on Sunday that the government has “no interest” in a new confrontation with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu has reported.
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“However, the government is sparing no effort to guarantee the safety of our citizens,” he explained, “mainly those in the southern area [close to Gaza].”
When asked about the return of the bodies of Palestinians being held by Israel, Erdan pointed out that the government has placed a condition on their release. “Our condition is that their families undertake to hold quiet funerals in the night and only a few people should take part in the funeral procession.” The reason for this, said Erdan, is the fear that the funerals will “turn into demonstrations that incite violence.”
Israel is blocking the return of dozens of bodies of Palestinians from Jerusalem, claiming that this is a punishment for their families because the deceased carried out attacks against Israeli targets.