Rice Assures the ‘Innocent' in Gaza

JERUSALEM — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said today America "will not abandon the innocent Palestinians in Gaza," shortly after Israel declared the territory to be an enemy entity in order to cut off power and fuel supplies to the coastal strip.

At the same time, Ms. Rice said Gaza, ruled by the Islamic militant Hamas group, "is a hostile entity to us as well."

Israel's Security Cabinet — the country's top political and defense ministers — did not set a date for a cutoff. A statement from Prime Minister Olmert's office said Israel did not intend to provoke a humanitarian crisis.

President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority condemned the plan, calling it "an oppressive decision."