Following an escalation in Hamas-inspired terrorist acts against Israelis, the Israeli government in December 1992 deported 415 Hamas activists to southern Lebanon. Even otherwise rival Palestinian moderates refused to resume talks with Israel until the deportees were allowed to return; only months of diplomatic efforts brought the parties back to the negotiations table in April 1993. The closing off of the occupied territories, announced by Israel in March 1993 following another series of deadly attacks on Israelis, has denied many Palestinians access to their jobs in Israel and caused a mounting economic hardship. Extended years of heavy death toll and economical difficulties have led to a sense of despair among Palestinians, driving many to the all-or-nothing position of Hamas and adding an element of urgency to the peace process. A proposition for implementing self-rule first in the Gaza Strip and Jericho was under negotiations in early September 1993.