Gaza Strip-ruling Islamic Hamas movement on Friday rebuffed an Israeli plan to isolate the costal enclave and turn it into a complete separated entity, Xinhua reported.
Sami Abu Zuhri, Gaza-based Hamas spokesman, said in a press statement that "Although the actual occupation of the Gaza Strip territories has ended in 2005, but legally and practically, it is still under the occupation."
On Friday, the Israeli media reported that Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman intends to present a plan to isolate the Gaza Strip from Israel's responsibility and turn it into a completely independent entity.
According to the plan, Hamas authorities of Gaza can build up a power plant, while international inspectors watch the crossings between the enclave and Israel. Lieberman intends to present his plan to the European Union foreign ministers who plan to visit the enclave on July 20.
"The plan to declare Gaza an independent entity, in which the Israeli occupation is talking about from time to time, is a Zionist attempt to escape from the Jewish state responsibilities as an occupier," said Abu Zuhri.
"We rebuff this plan because the Gaza Strip is part of the occupied Palestinian territories," said Abu Zuhri, adding "Gaza is still under the legal responsibility of Israel as an occupier."