A spokesman for Gaza’s Hamas rulers says foreigners must now obtain visas to enter the Gaza Strip.
Ihab Ghussein’s comments on Saturday 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 non-profit organisations.
Hamas recently shut down a U.S.-financed aide group that refused an audit.
Mr. 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 U.S. and U.N. 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.
