Israel stands ready to institute a new policy whereby it will cut power to the Gaza Strip for specific periods of time following attacks by Qassam rockets into Israeli territory. The government is just awaiting final approval from the courts, according to Israel Radio. The Israelis say at least 80 Qassam rockets and mortar rounds were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip in September alone. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reportedly told Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas on Friday that although Israel will cut electricity for set periods of time, it will not thrust the Palestinians into a humanitarian crisis. On Saturday Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai told Israel Radio that the underlying purpose of the policy was "to separate ourselves from the Gaza Strip at the level of its infrastructure in every way possible." Vilnai said that included finding an alternative to daily deliveries of fuel from Israel to the Gaza Strip.