Israel bars Swiss officials from entering Gaza

JERUSALEM

Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has reportedly banned Swiss officials from entering the blockaded Gaza Strip from Israeli territory, according to Israeli media.

The ban was issued over recent meetings between Swiss officials and members of Palestinian group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, Israeli Channel Two reported on Wednesday.

According to the channel, Swiss representatives recently held talks with Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and group leader in Gaza Yahya al-Sinwar.

On Tuesday, Hamas said Sinwar had met with Julian Toni, the Swiss ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, in Gaza.

Two weeks ago, Haniyeh met with a Swiss delegation led by Swiss peace envoy Roland Stinger.

Hamas has yet to comment on the Israeli ban.