In the latest round of violence between Israel and the Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, economic concerns were clearly among the main reasons Hamas didn’t join the fighting. Now, Israel intends to follow through on certain economic relief measures for Gaza Strip residents. 

Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in televised comments Aug. 8, “I want to turn from here to the residents of Gaza and tell them: There is another way. We know how to protect ourselves from anyone who threatens us, but we also know how to provide work, livelihood and a life of dignity to anyone who wants to live in peace by our side. There is another way to live. The path of the Abraham Accords, of the Negev Summit, of innovation and economy, of regional development and joint projects. The choice is yours. Your future depends on you.”

Israel has taken two approaches toward the Gaza Strip in the past decade. In the security approach, Israel limited imports to Gaza for fear some materials would be used for military purposes, has delayed various international projects because Hamas sought to control them and prevented emissaries of the Palestinian Authority from working. Until a year ago, it also prevented the entry of Palestinian workers into Israel. Another approach derives from the belief that economic relief for Gaza residents will reduce motivation for Hamas to start a military conflict with Israel. 

In the past year, under the Bennett-Lapid-Gantz government, the economic approach has gained ground and significant economic relief measures began a little less than a year ago.