GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Just days after fuel tankers began delivering much-needed diesel oil to the Gaza Strip on Oct. 9, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman halted the shipments in retaliation for Gazans' protests on the border with Israel. 

Liberman tweeted Oct. 13, "As long as the events continue on the border and fire balloons continue to be launched toward Israel, no fuel shall be transferred to Gaza.” The protests continued, however, and on Oct. 16, an Israel Defense Forces plane fired on Palestinians allegedly launching the balloons. No casualties were reported.

Liberman's action was widely rejected by Israeli Security Cabinet members, who voiced concern that it would only aggravate the security situation on the border.

The tankers that were allowed to cross the border were carrying the first shipments of $60 million worth of oil Qatar purchased from Israel's Paz Oil Co. to help alleviate the desperate conditions in the Gaza Strip. The fuel would help provide residents with eight hours of electricity a day, instead of the current four, for six months.