29 sept 2013
Egyptian authorities on Sunday detained 56 African migrants attempting to enter Israel, security officials said.
Among the group were 21 Sudanese migrants, four Eritrean men, and three Ethiopians. Twenty-eight migrants were from other African countries, officials said.
The migrants have been referred for investigation.
More than 60,000 Africans have entered Israel on foot in recent years seeking work or refuge. Most face an arduous journey across the Sinai peninsula and often face physical abuse and torture at the hands of human traffickers.
Among the group were 21 Sudanese migrants, four Eritrean men, and three Ethiopians. Twenty-eight migrants were from other African countries, officials said.
The migrants have been referred for investigation.
More than 60,000 Africans have entered Israel on foot in recent years seeking work or refuge. Most face an arduous journey across the Sinai peninsula and often face physical abuse and torture at the hands of human traffickers.
The Palestinian government appealed to the Egyptian authorities to take into account the conditions of the besieged people in the Gaza Strip and open the Rafah crossing. Kamel Abu Madi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior in Gaza, in a press conference held on Sunday afternoon at the Rafah crossing called for opening the Rafah crossing in both directions.
He stressed that the number of departures has dramatically decreased this year, aggravating the humanitarian situation inside the Strip, and noted that the crossing has been open for six days only since the beginning of this month.
Abu Madi warned of the serious repercussions of the continued closure of the Rafah crossing on the lives of the Palestinians.
He reported that the number of trapped travelers reached 4500 after closing the door of registration, pointing out that most of them are patients, students and people working abroad.
Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry added that the Egyptian side on Sunday received three buses carrying only two hundred people, while 5 thousand humanitarian cases were not allowed to cross the crossing.
The Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing before patients, students and humanitarian cases for few days during this month, while they still prevent thousands of citizens from traveling.
He stressed that the number of departures has dramatically decreased this year, aggravating the humanitarian situation inside the Strip, and noted that the crossing has been open for six days only since the beginning of this month.
Abu Madi warned of the serious repercussions of the continued closure of the Rafah crossing on the lives of the Palestinians.
He reported that the number of trapped travelers reached 4500 after closing the door of registration, pointing out that most of them are patients, students and people working abroad.
Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry added that the Egyptian side on Sunday received three buses carrying only two hundred people, while 5 thousand humanitarian cases were not allowed to cross the crossing.
The Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing before patients, students and humanitarian cases for few days during this month, while they still prevent thousands of citizens from traveling.
A palestinian fishermen was subjected Sunday to Egyptian firing while sailing near the Egyptian territorial waters off the Rafah coast in southern Gaza Strip. Local media reported that "a boat of Egyptian naval police fired at and chased the Palestinian boat until the later managed to get away from the territory."
The crackdown operations carried out by the Egyptian military against allegedly "terrotist groups" in Sinai Peninsula are still in place.
This attack against a Gaza fisherman is not the first of its kind. The few earlier weeks saw the arrest and trial of five fishermen by Egypt, which drew human rights groups' disapproval.
The crackdown operations carried out by the Egyptian military against allegedly "terrotist groups" in Sinai Peninsula are still in place.
This attack against a Gaza fisherman is not the first of its kind. The few earlier weeks saw the arrest and trial of five fishermen by Egypt, which drew human rights groups' disapproval.
28 sept 2013
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Rafah crossing keeps Palestinians caged at both sides
Newborn baby died Saturday after he made his way to life Friday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing. Ministry of Interior reported medial resources as saying that Mohamed al- Mashharawi was born Friday at night at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing after his mother waited long without being allowed to cross into the Gaza Strip. "The child’s mother Iman Mashharawi coming from Algeria on a visit to Gaza was had to pass the night at the Egyptian crossing’s cafeteria before giving birth to Mohammed on Saturday," the sources said. |
Palestinian citizen al-Mashharawi gave her child in late at Friday’s night who died this morning at the crossing.
Up to the moment, one bus, three ambulances, and a number of Ministry of Religious Affairs coordinators for ‘pilgrimage to Mecca’ season have been allowed in the Egyptian territories.
The crossing should have been open today, Saturday, for those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and for stuck students.
Malfunction in computer network at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing disrupted operation, Director General of Border Crossings in Gaza said, citing the Egyptian authorities.
Up to the moment, one bus, three ambulances, and a number of Ministry of Religious Affairs coordinators for ‘pilgrimage to Mecca’ season have been allowed in the Egyptian territories.
The crossing should have been open today, Saturday, for those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and for stuck students.
Malfunction in computer network at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing disrupted operation, Director General of Border Crossings in Gaza said, citing the Egyptian authorities.
Malfunction in computer network at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing disrupted operation, Director General of Border Crossings in Gaza said citing the Egyptian authorities. One busload, carrying 50 Palestinian passengers, has just made its way to the Egyptian territories before the crossing has been closed again to Palestinians
On Saturday morning, the crossing was opened after closure lasted for eight days.
General Administration of Border Crossings said Saturday in an earlier statement to ALRAY “the crossing will be open to those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and stuck students,”
Egypt had informed the Palestinian government will open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing only partial openings for the Gaza Strip travel seekers since the military-backed overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.
On Saturday morning, the crossing was opened after closure lasted for eight days.
General Administration of Border Crossings said Saturday in an earlier statement to ALRAY “the crossing will be open to those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and stuck students,”
Egypt had informed the Palestinian government will open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing only partial openings for the Gaza Strip travel seekers since the military-backed overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.
Egyptian authorities reopened the Rafah crossing on Saturday, after a closure lasted for eight days. General Administration of Border Crossings said Saturday in a statement to ALRAY “the crossing will be open to those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and stuck students,”
Egypt had informed the Palestinian government will open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing only partial openings for the Gaza Strip travel seekers since the military-backed overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.
Egyptian authorities open Rafah crossing for certain categories
Egypt had informed the Palestinian government will open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing only partial openings for the Gaza Strip travel seekers since the military-backed overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.
Egyptian authorities open Rafah crossing for certain categories
26 sept 2013
Inaugurating an international conference of Islamic movements in the city on Wednesday, Ameer, Jamaat e Islami, Pakistan, Syed Munawar Hasan, has said the happenings in Egypt during the last two months have blasted the claim of the west that it believed in democracy and elections. He said, the Ikhwanul Muslimoon, who had come to power through elections after 64 years of peaceful, democratic struggle had been ousted by a military dictator enjoying full support of the west, and was perpetrating untold tyranny and oppression, but the so called champions of democracy and human rights had not uttered a word against that. He said the double standards of the west and the US were quite evident as it did not allow elected governments of the Islamic movements to function in Palestine, Algeria and in Egypt.
The JI Ameer said that the Muslim Ummah was passing through a critical stage at present and the unity of the Muslim world was imperative for pulling it out of the present crisis. Islamic movements’ leaders from twenty two countries are attending the moot.
Syed Munawar Hasan said it was tragic that apart from the enemies of Islam, our own people had a hand in the creation of the prevailing situation of the Ummah. Munawar Hasan said that the US and Russia were chips of the same block as both are after the Muslims world’s resources.
Representatives of the Islamic movements from Egypt, Sudan, Malaysia, Tunis, Palestine, Jordan, Morocco, are attending the moot.
The JI Ameer said that a shame court in Egypt had clamped a ban on the Ikhwalnul Muslimoon and ordered confiscation of its assets. He said the tyranny in Egypt did not seem to end but despite that, the Ikhwan had demonstrated exemplary restraint.
Referring to the present situation in Bangladesh, he said that at a time when a debate was going on in the west against the death sentence, senior JI leaders in Bangladesh had been given capital punishment, but the opponents of the death sentence had not said a word in protest over that.
He said the same story was being repeated in Kashmir, Palestine, Afghanistan and Burma.
Addressing the opening session, Ikhwanul Muslimoon leader from Jordan, Dr Hammam Saeed, said that the conference would send a message to the world at large that there were people in the Muslim Ummah who would safeguard the interests of Islam and the Muslims even at the cost of their lives. He said that Islam’s enemies had joined hands to pull down the Baiatul Maqdis, and to build the alleged temple in its place but the Muslim world, especially its rulers, were least concerned.
The Ikhwan leader said that actually the US and the west were afraid of the political Islam and they wanted the Muslims to believe in Islam of their own choice but the Muslims could not accept the west’s concept of Islam. He denounced US President Obama’s double standards and his policies against Islam and the Muslim world. Morocco’s ruling party leader Muhammad Al Hamdavi, in his address, said that the west had been using force to obstruct the path of the Islamic movements but it could not always succeed in its designs.
Malaysia’s Hizbe Islami leader Abdul Ha’di Awang, in his address, said that a proxy war had been thrust on the Muslims and they were footing the bill of the wars of others. The enemy was adopting satanic tactics to crush the Islamic movements and the Muslim leaders should be vigilant.
The JI Ameer said that the Muslim Ummah was passing through a critical stage at present and the unity of the Muslim world was imperative for pulling it out of the present crisis. Islamic movements’ leaders from twenty two countries are attending the moot.
Syed Munawar Hasan said it was tragic that apart from the enemies of Islam, our own people had a hand in the creation of the prevailing situation of the Ummah. Munawar Hasan said that the US and Russia were chips of the same block as both are after the Muslims world’s resources.
Representatives of the Islamic movements from Egypt, Sudan, Malaysia, Tunis, Palestine, Jordan, Morocco, are attending the moot.
The JI Ameer said that a shame court in Egypt had clamped a ban on the Ikhwalnul Muslimoon and ordered confiscation of its assets. He said the tyranny in Egypt did not seem to end but despite that, the Ikhwan had demonstrated exemplary restraint.
Referring to the present situation in Bangladesh, he said that at a time when a debate was going on in the west against the death sentence, senior JI leaders in Bangladesh had been given capital punishment, but the opponents of the death sentence had not said a word in protest over that.
He said the same story was being repeated in Kashmir, Palestine, Afghanistan and Burma.
Addressing the opening session, Ikhwanul Muslimoon leader from Jordan, Dr Hammam Saeed, said that the conference would send a message to the world at large that there were people in the Muslim Ummah who would safeguard the interests of Islam and the Muslims even at the cost of their lives. He said that Islam’s enemies had joined hands to pull down the Baiatul Maqdis, and to build the alleged temple in its place but the Muslim world, especially its rulers, were least concerned.
The Ikhwan leader said that actually the US and the west were afraid of the political Islam and they wanted the Muslims to believe in Islam of their own choice but the Muslims could not accept the west’s concept of Islam. He denounced US President Obama’s double standards and his policies against Islam and the Muslim world. Morocco’s ruling party leader Muhammad Al Hamdavi, in his address, said that the west had been using force to obstruct the path of the Islamic movements but it could not always succeed in its designs.
Malaysia’s Hizbe Islami leader Abdul Ha’di Awang, in his address, said that a proxy war had been thrust on the Muslims and they were footing the bill of the wars of others. The enemy was adopting satanic tactics to crush the Islamic movements and the Muslim leaders should be vigilant.
Egypt pledged to provide travel facilities for Palestinian pilgrims from the Gaza Strip heading to perform Haj in Saudi Arabia next month. The Egyptian intelligence undersecretary asserted to Gaza premier Ismail Haneyya in a telephone contact on Wednesday night that Egypt would exert efforts to alleviate suffering of the Strip’s population.
A spokesman for the government said in a statement that the Egyptian official affirmed to Haneyya that the Rafah border terminal would open for Palestinians for three days next week starting Saturday.
The official also vowed to facilitate travel of Palestinian pilgrims that would start on October 2nd via the Rafah crossing.
A spokesman for the government said in a statement that the Egyptian official affirmed to Haneyya that the Rafah border terminal would open for Palestinians for three days next week starting Saturday.
The official also vowed to facilitate travel of Palestinian pilgrims that would start on October 2nd via the Rafah crossing.
1000 patients suffering from critical diseases deprived of entering Egypt to receive urgent treatment in specialized Egyptian hospitals due to the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, According to Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. The center said in a statement on Wednesday the siege and the closure threatened thousands of workers to lose their work and stay in the countries they reside and many students will lose their scholarships .
He pointed out that escalating the siege especially after the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah crossing caused fuel crisis as the quantities enter Gaza through Kerm Shalom crossing are limited.
He explained that the lack of fuel affected several services including the first aid, ambulances, public transportation and sanitation. The water supplies declined to 40% according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs .
“The blockade affected the health services seriously. According to the Ministry of Health, the pharmaceutical stocks which were entering through the Rafah crossing officially fell to 30%.” The statement said.
About 145 of 500 medicine types ran out and 100 kinds are about to run out in the coming days.7
The center indicated that a humanitarian crisis will be as a result of the escalation of the blockade on the civilians in the Gaza Strip, warning the international community of the disastrous effects that could not be remedied if the blockade continues.
He pointed out that escalating the siege especially after the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah crossing caused fuel crisis as the quantities enter Gaza through Kerm Shalom crossing are limited.
He explained that the lack of fuel affected several services including the first aid, ambulances, public transportation and sanitation. The water supplies declined to 40% according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs .
“The blockade affected the health services seriously. According to the Ministry of Health, the pharmaceutical stocks which were entering through the Rafah crossing officially fell to 30%.” The statement said.
About 145 of 500 medicine types ran out and 100 kinds are about to run out in the coming days.7
The center indicated that a humanitarian crisis will be as a result of the escalation of the blockade on the civilians in the Gaza Strip, warning the international community of the disastrous effects that could not be remedied if the blockade continues.
25 sept 2013
The Palestinian ministry of transport in Gaza said that there are contacts underway with the Egyptian general petroleum company to resolve the fuel crisis, which rendered thousands of cars out of service. A spokesman for the ministry told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that the government is trying to get fuel shipments for the transportation sector, which is considered the backbone of life and sustain thousands of Gazan families.
He affirmed that the fuel crisis seriously affected the economic and humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The fuel crisis aggravated after the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing and destroyed most of the border tunnels, which paralyzed the life in Gaza and caused thousands of cars and public vehicles to stop working.
The crisis also forced some drivers of public buses and vehicles to use a kind of cooking oil to operate them.
He affirmed that the fuel crisis seriously affected the economic and humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The fuel crisis aggravated after the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing and destroyed most of the border tunnels, which paralyzed the life in Gaza and caused thousands of cars and public vehicles to stop working.
The crisis also forced some drivers of public buses and vehicles to use a kind of cooking oil to operate them.
Eyptian soldier sitting on military bulldozer
Israeli security team has arrived in Cairo for a short visit during which its members will meet with a number of Egyptian officials to discuss the situation in the Sinai Peninsula. The aim of the visit, claims Hebrew Radio, is to discuss developments in the light of the "campaign" launched by Egypt "against armed groups" in the area, Memo reported. Senior Egyptian sources said that there will be an "exchange of information and coordination" with Israel in order to secure the border against "infiltration and smuggling". The Egyptian army has been carrying out a large-scale operation since Tuesday morning in northern Sinai, especially around the towns of Sheikh Zuweid, Rafah and El-Arish.
Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy has warned that Egypt's response will be "harsh" if the government feels that "Hamas or any other parties" are threatening the country’s national security.
Recent reports from Israel have revealed that security coordination with Egypt has increased since President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown by the coup in Egypt two months ago.
Israeli security team has arrived in Cairo for a short visit during which its members will meet with a number of Egyptian officials to discuss the situation in the Sinai Peninsula. The aim of the visit, claims Hebrew Radio, is to discuss developments in the light of the "campaign" launched by Egypt "against armed groups" in the area, Memo reported. Senior Egyptian sources said that there will be an "exchange of information and coordination" with Israel in order to secure the border against "infiltration and smuggling". The Egyptian army has been carrying out a large-scale operation since Tuesday morning in northern Sinai, especially around the towns of Sheikh Zuweid, Rafah and El-Arish.
Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy has warned that Egypt's response will be "harsh" if the government feels that "Hamas or any other parties" are threatening the country’s national security.
Recent reports from Israel have revealed that security coordination with Egypt has increased since President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown by the coup in Egypt two months ago.
Nabil Fahmi
Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ghazi Hamad, expressed surprise at the Egyptian Foreign Minister's statements, concerning the military and security options against the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian Foreign Minister's statements came in contrast with the Egyptian role in protecting the Palestinian people, he said, considering it a serious escalation that would create tension in the relationship between Gaza and Egypt.
For his part, media advisor to the Prime Minister Taher al-Nunu stated that the threatens of the Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy to consider military action against Gaza and Hamas as serious and unjustified escalation.
Al-Nunu called on wise men in Egypt to assume their responsibility.
The response "will be harsh if we feel that elements within Hamas or other parties are trying to attack Egyptian national security," Fahmy said in an interview with pan-Arab daily Hayat published Tuesday.
It would include "military and security choices and not options that would cause Palestinian citizens to suffer," said Fahmy.
Meanwhile, Political analyst Ibrahim al-Madhoun stated that there are indications that confirm the Egyptian regime's bad intentions towards the Palestinian cause and the Gaza Strip in particular.
He pointed out that the Egyptian incitement has moved from media informal incitement to formal incitement which proves that the Egyptian media campaign against Hamas was a directed, political incitement campaign.
The tunnels' demolition, the closure of Rafah crossing, and canceling the free trade zone came in context of tightening the siege on Gaza and not required Egyptian security measures.
He confirmed that Hamas movement has not and will never intervene in the Egyptian internal affairs, stressing that all the Egyptian formal and informal charges were fabricated as part of the ongoing incitement against the movement.
He believed that any attempt to differentiate between the Palestinian people and Hamas movement will fail, stressing that Hamas is an integral part of the Palestinian people that came after national election.
Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ghazi Hamad, expressed surprise at the Egyptian Foreign Minister's statements, concerning the military and security options against the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian Foreign Minister's statements came in contrast with the Egyptian role in protecting the Palestinian people, he said, considering it a serious escalation that would create tension in the relationship between Gaza and Egypt.
For his part, media advisor to the Prime Minister Taher al-Nunu stated that the threatens of the Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy to consider military action against Gaza and Hamas as serious and unjustified escalation.
Al-Nunu called on wise men in Egypt to assume their responsibility.
The response "will be harsh if we feel that elements within Hamas or other parties are trying to attack Egyptian national security," Fahmy said in an interview with pan-Arab daily Hayat published Tuesday.
It would include "military and security choices and not options that would cause Palestinian citizens to suffer," said Fahmy.
Meanwhile, Political analyst Ibrahim al-Madhoun stated that there are indications that confirm the Egyptian regime's bad intentions towards the Palestinian cause and the Gaza Strip in particular.
He pointed out that the Egyptian incitement has moved from media informal incitement to formal incitement which proves that the Egyptian media campaign against Hamas was a directed, political incitement campaign.
The tunnels' demolition, the closure of Rafah crossing, and canceling the free trade zone came in context of tightening the siege on Gaza and not required Egyptian security measures.
He confirmed that Hamas movement has not and will never intervene in the Egyptian internal affairs, stressing that all the Egyptian formal and informal charges were fabricated as part of the ongoing incitement against the movement.
He believed that any attempt to differentiate between the Palestinian people and Hamas movement will fail, stressing that Hamas is an integral part of the Palestinian people that came after national election.
The Hamas Movement strongly denounced Nabil Fahmi, the Egyptian minister of foreign affairs, for threatening to take military and security action against the Palestinian resistance in Gaza. Its spokesman Fawzi Barhoum stated on Tuesday that Fahmi's threats were reprehensible and very dangerous and would do a great disservice to Egypt's reputation and historical stature.
Barhoum added that Fahmi's remarks in this regard unveiled bad intents and hostile tendencies against the Palestinians in general and Gaza in particular.
He stressed that such position would remove Egypt from its national, Arab and Islamic role in supporting the Palestinian people and their cause.
The spokesman affirmed that Hamas and its people in Gaza have no intention or agenda to engage in any kind of conflict with Egypt.
"We will remain defenders of the Arab and Muslim nations' pride and dignity, and our main struggle is only against the Israeli occupation, the greatest threat to Egypt and Palestine," he underscored.
For its part, Al-Ahrar Movement in Gaza also deplored the Egyptian minister's threat to use military and security options against Gaza.
"We were expecting an Egyptian position supporting the Aqsa Mosque and preventing its division, and not a threat by the foreign minister of Egypt to attack Gaza. We affirm that such remarks undermine Egypt's ethics and role in protecting our people," Al-Ahrar Movement stated on Tuesday.
It also said that this new Egyptian position only serve the Israeli occupation regime which has taken advantage of the military coupe and are trying to drive a wedge between Gaza and Egypt.
It highlighted that Gaza and its resistance would always remain the first line of defense for Egypt and the whole Muslim nation and a protector for Egypt's national security and borders.
Barhoum added that Fahmi's remarks in this regard unveiled bad intents and hostile tendencies against the Palestinians in general and Gaza in particular.
He stressed that such position would remove Egypt from its national, Arab and Islamic role in supporting the Palestinian people and their cause.
The spokesman affirmed that Hamas and its people in Gaza have no intention or agenda to engage in any kind of conflict with Egypt.
"We will remain defenders of the Arab and Muslim nations' pride and dignity, and our main struggle is only against the Israeli occupation, the greatest threat to Egypt and Palestine," he underscored.
For its part, Al-Ahrar Movement in Gaza also deplored the Egyptian minister's threat to use military and security options against Gaza.
"We were expecting an Egyptian position supporting the Aqsa Mosque and preventing its division, and not a threat by the foreign minister of Egypt to attack Gaza. We affirm that such remarks undermine Egypt's ethics and role in protecting our people," Al-Ahrar Movement stated on Tuesday.
It also said that this new Egyptian position only serve the Israeli occupation regime which has taken advantage of the military coupe and are trying to drive a wedge between Gaza and Egypt.
It highlighted that Gaza and its resistance would always remain the first line of defense for Egypt and the whole Muslim nation and a protector for Egypt's national security and borders.
The Palestinian government in Gaza strongly denounced the daily attempts by the Israeli occupation forces and the Jewish settlers to desecrate the Aqsa Mosque, renewing its appeal to the Arab League and the organization of Islamic cooperation (OIC) to urgently move to save the Mosque. In a press release issued following its weekly meeting on Tuesday, the government declared its support for the invitation made by head of Hamas's political bureau Khaled Mashaal for the Palestinians to go on angry massive marches for the Aqsa Mosque next Friday throughout occupied Palestine.
The government also appealed anew to the de facto Egyptian regime to immediately open the Rafah border crossing to avoid further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The government expressed its shock and dismay at the remarks made recently by the Egyptian minister of foreign affairs about military and security options against Gaza, stressing that this position contradicts Egypt's historical role in protecting the Palestinian people and supporting their national cause.
It added that such threats by an Egyptian official were unjustified and would fuel the tense atmosphere between Gaza and Egypt.
In another context, the government deplored de facto president Mahmoud Abbas for his stated position against the recent resistance attacks on Israeli soldiers and his appeal to the Jews to support him personally.
It also condemned the Palestinian authority and Fatah for inciting through the media against the Palestinians and their resistance in Gaza and urging Egypt to close the Rafah border crossing.
The government also appealed anew to the de facto Egyptian regime to immediately open the Rafah border crossing to avoid further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The government expressed its shock and dismay at the remarks made recently by the Egyptian minister of foreign affairs about military and security options against Gaza, stressing that this position contradicts Egypt's historical role in protecting the Palestinian people and supporting their national cause.
It added that such threats by an Egyptian official were unjustified and would fuel the tense atmosphere between Gaza and Egypt.
In another context, the government deplored de facto president Mahmoud Abbas for his stated position against the recent resistance attacks on Israeli soldiers and his appeal to the Jews to support him personally.
It also condemned the Palestinian authority and Fatah for inciting through the media against the Palestinians and their resistance in Gaza and urging Egypt to close the Rafah border crossing.
24 sept 2013
The tightening siege on the Gaza Strip is increasing by the day with the closure of the Rafah border terminal with Egypt for the 14th day running on Tuesday being one of the most painful. The closure of the terminal and the destruction of tunnels, through which most of Gaza needs of fuel and other basic materials used to be smuggled, led to economic hardships affecting the 1.7 million people living in the besieged enclave.
A Palestinian man, suffering from heart ailment over the past ten years, died of a heart attack last night after being denied access by the Egyptian authorities.
The environmental condition in the Strip is no less dangerous as the shortage of fuel threatens to cripple the water and sewage utilities.
A report by the Palestinian government said that the stoppage of sewage treatment stations would lead to drenching streets of Gaza with waste water.
The lack of fuel led to a halt in movement of garbage collection vehicles that transfer more than 1,500 tons of garbage daily to garbage dumps.
A Palestinian man, suffering from heart ailment over the past ten years, died of a heart attack last night after being denied access by the Egyptian authorities.
The environmental condition in the Strip is no less dangerous as the shortage of fuel threatens to cripple the water and sewage utilities.
A report by the Palestinian government said that the stoppage of sewage treatment stations would lead to drenching streets of Gaza with waste water.
The lack of fuel led to a halt in movement of garbage collection vehicles that transfer more than 1,500 tons of garbage daily to garbage dumps.
23 sept 2013
Member of Hamas's political bureau Ezzat Al-Resheq said that his Movement would not engage in side battles with any Arab party and would keep upholding its principle of not interfering in the internal affairs of the Arab countries. In a press statement to Anatolia news agency, Resheq ruled out that the Egyptian army might take military action against Gaza at the instigation of some media outlets.
"The great sisterly Egypt will always remain a strategic depth for the Gaza Strip, and Gaza has always been the first line of defense for Egypt and its national security," the Hamas official stated.
"No sane person could imagine that Gaza can be under attack by the Egyptian army or any side except the Zionist entity. This is something inconceivable," he added.
Resheq also ruled out the possibility of ending the ongoing ceasefire agreement with the Israeli occupation regime if the Egyptian army decided to take military action against Gaza.
Resheq affirmed that his Movement's military conflict with Israel is not governed by tensions with other parties but by accurate spatial and temporal equations, and other field and logistic consideration as well as the higher interests of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
He strongly denounced what he described as some misleading Egyptian media outlets for inciting hatred against the Palestinian people and their resistance in Gaza.
He said that these media outlets do a disservice to Egypt and historical stature and serve no one but the Israeli occupation.
"The great sisterly Egypt will always remain a strategic depth for the Gaza Strip, and Gaza has always been the first line of defense for Egypt and its national security," the Hamas official stated.
"No sane person could imagine that Gaza can be under attack by the Egyptian army or any side except the Zionist entity. This is something inconceivable," he added.
Resheq also ruled out the possibility of ending the ongoing ceasefire agreement with the Israeli occupation regime if the Egyptian army decided to take military action against Gaza.
Resheq affirmed that his Movement's military conflict with Israel is not governed by tensions with other parties but by accurate spatial and temporal equations, and other field and logistic consideration as well as the higher interests of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
He strongly denounced what he described as some misleading Egyptian media outlets for inciting hatred against the Palestinian people and their resistance in Gaza.
He said that these media outlets do a disservice to Egypt and historical stature and serve no one but the Israeli occupation.
Ezzat Al-Rishq, member of Hamas political bureau, has condemned the continued closure of Rafah crossing before the Palestinian people and the humanitarian cases particularly, stressing that the current situation threatens the life of 1.7 million people living in the besieged strip. Tightening the siege on the Gaza Strip through the closure of the Rafah crossing, the sole lifeline for the people of Gaza, only serves the Israeli occupation, he said.
Al-Rishq strongly denounced the continued incitement against the Gaza Strip that targets the Palestinian resistance, adding that tightening the siege on the Gaza Strip will remain a stain on those who planned for, participated in and implement it.
He warned of a serious humanitarian and economic disaster in the Gaza Strip, calling for opening the Rafah crossing before the movement of individuals and goods especially after the demolition of the tunnels between Egypt and Gaza which have functioned as the life-line to the besieged Gaza Strip since the beginning of the Israeli siege in 2006.
Gaza has not and will never pose a threat to the Egyptian security and it has not and will not interfere in any Egyptian internal matter, the leader in Hamas movement confirmed.
Al-Rishq strongly denounced the continued incitement against the Gaza Strip that targets the Palestinian resistance, adding that tightening the siege on the Gaza Strip will remain a stain on those who planned for, participated in and implement it.
He warned of a serious humanitarian and economic disaster in the Gaza Strip, calling for opening the Rafah crossing before the movement of individuals and goods especially after the demolition of the tunnels between Egypt and Gaza which have functioned as the life-line to the besieged Gaza Strip since the beginning of the Israeli siege in 2006.
Gaza has not and will never pose a threat to the Egyptian security and it has not and will not interfere in any Egyptian internal matter, the leader in Hamas movement confirmed.
Why this is important Since July 3, Egypt has closed its border with Gaza to all but a trickle of Palestinian travellers, stranding hundreds of individuals who need medical care, dream of studying abroad or are trying to re-unite with family. At the same time, the interim Egyptian government has systematically destroyed most of the tunnels underneath the border, upon which the Palestinians of Gaza rely for vital supplies such as construction materials and affordable fuel – both of which are largely unavailable from Israel, which has virtually sealed its own border with the strip since 2007 (both for human traffic and exports).
While the Egyptian government claims the shutdown of its Rafah crossing with Gaza is necessary to prevent activity by armed militants, the result is collective punishment of the entire 1.7 million population -- exactly the same treatment Palestinians have experienced at the hands of Israel. Such a total blockade only further threatens the region’s security through the desperation and anger it builds. For the sake of both humanity and a peaceful future, the people of Gaza must be allowed to travel and trade! (Signed, the International Campaign to #OpenRafahBorder)
While the Egyptian government claims the shutdown of its Rafah crossing with Gaza is necessary to prevent activity by armed militants, the result is collective punishment of the entire 1.7 million population -- exactly the same treatment Palestinians have experienced at the hands of Israel. Such a total blockade only further threatens the region’s security through the desperation and anger it builds. For the sake of both humanity and a peaceful future, the people of Gaza must be allowed to travel and trade! (Signed, the International Campaign to #OpenRafahBorder)
22 sept 2013
The international campaign against the siege on Gaza, a founding member of the Freedom Flotilla coalition, called on the de facto Egyptian regime to stop its inhuman restrictions and unjustified measures against Gaza and its people. "The Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip in the face of Palestinian passengers more than once and demolished most of the tunnels which the Palestinians in Gaza depend on to get their vital and basic needs," the international campaign stated in a report on the Egyptian complicity in Gaza siege.
The committee demanded the Egyptian authorities to immediately open the Rafah crossing before movement of vital supplies and passengers.
It also called on all pro-Palestinian human rights groups and activists around the world to necessarily utilize their available means to pressure Egypt's embassies and consulates to end all inhuman measures against Gaza, and to sign an international petition demanding Egypt to open Rafah crossing on a permanent basis.
For his part, spokesman for the international campaign Zaher Berawi expressed his belief that the Egyptian measures that started about two months ago against Gaza are part of political coordination between the de facto Egyptian regime and its counterpart at the Palestinian authority in order to create a counterrevolution in Gaza similar to the Egyptian one that was backed by the US and Israel, and funded by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
"Therefore, tightening the blockade on Gaza people is aimed at inciting them to revolt against the authority of the Hamas Movement which governs the Strip through creating the sense that the stay of Hamas in power in Gaza means hunger , siege, and death," spokesman Berawi added.
"There are indications that the Palestinian authority cooperated with the de facto authority in Egypt to execute this scheme, which poses a great danger to the lives of all population and is considered a politically-motivated mass punishment, the spokesman asserted further.
The committee demanded the Egyptian authorities to immediately open the Rafah crossing before movement of vital supplies and passengers.
It also called on all pro-Palestinian human rights groups and activists around the world to necessarily utilize their available means to pressure Egypt's embassies and consulates to end all inhuman measures against Gaza, and to sign an international petition demanding Egypt to open Rafah crossing on a permanent basis.
For his part, spokesman for the international campaign Zaher Berawi expressed his belief that the Egyptian measures that started about two months ago against Gaza are part of political coordination between the de facto Egyptian regime and its counterpart at the Palestinian authority in order to create a counterrevolution in Gaza similar to the Egyptian one that was backed by the US and Israel, and funded by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
"Therefore, tightening the blockade on Gaza people is aimed at inciting them to revolt against the authority of the Hamas Movement which governs the Strip through creating the sense that the stay of Hamas in power in Gaza means hunger , siege, and death," spokesman Berawi added.
"There are indications that the Palestinian authority cooperated with the de facto authority in Egypt to execute this scheme, which poses a great danger to the lives of all population and is considered a politically-motivated mass punishment, the spokesman asserted further.
21 sept 2013
Palestinian deputy minister of foreign affairs Ghazi Hamad said that the Palestinian government in Gaza had never interfered in the Egyptian affairs or issued a statement against any party in Egypt. Hamad made his remarks during a political symposium held on Thursday by the interior ministry's political and moral guidance commission.
He also affirmed that the Palestinian government deals with all countries of the world according to its position towards the Palestinian cause, which is its main concern.
"We do not want to create a hostile front against our Egyptian brothers because our sole enemy is the occupation," the Palestinian official underlined.
He stressed that his government does not mind any cooperation with the Egyptian side to control the borders between the two countries, affirming that its position in this regard had been clearly stated before.
The official also expressed his dismay at the smear campaigns that are systematically launched against the Palestinians by the Egyptian media, which work beyond any censorship by the government.
He also affirmed that the Palestinian government deals with all countries of the world according to its position towards the Palestinian cause, which is its main concern.
"We do not want to create a hostile front against our Egyptian brothers because our sole enemy is the occupation," the Palestinian official underlined.
He stressed that his government does not mind any cooperation with the Egyptian side to control the borders between the two countries, affirming that its position in this regard had been clearly stated before.
The official also expressed his dismay at the smear campaigns that are systematically launched against the Palestinians by the Egyptian media, which work beyond any censorship by the government.
The Palestinian minister of economy says that losses resulting from Egypt military destruction of tunnels along its border with the besieged Gaza Strip have exceeded $250 million.
Alaa al-Rafati told local media on Friday that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has entered a “critical and dangerous phase” since Egypt has closed the Rafah border crossing and is destroying the tunnels serve as a lifeline for Gaza's population of over 1.7 million.
According to al-Rafati, the Egyptian army has destroyed nearly 126 border tunnels, which have been used to get basic goods and medicines into Gaza during years of suffocating Israeli blockade.
Al-Rafati further called on the Egyptian government to reopen the Rafah crossing and allow the movement of people and goods through it.
More than 80 percent of the tunnels are no longer functional following their destruction by the Egyptian security forces.
Over the past months, Egypt has stepped up its crackdown on the supply tunnels leading into Gaza, which bring basic supplies to the Gazans in the besieged enclave. Egyptian army forces flooded several of tunnels in February.
Since the ouster of Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi on July 3, the Egyptian military has launched a campaign to destroy the tunnels, preventing the people in Gaza from bringing in most of their basic goods like construction materials, food, and fuel.
The destruction of the tunnels has reportedly led to an increase in the price of fuel and other commodities in the coastal territory. Palestinians have to wait in long lines at gas stations and face daily power outages that last up to 14 hours.
Several human rights organizations and civil groups have criticized the Egyptian army for preventing the people in Gaza from accessing most of their basic goods like construction materials, food, and fuel.
Alaa al-Rafati told local media on Friday that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has entered a “critical and dangerous phase” since Egypt has closed the Rafah border crossing and is destroying the tunnels serve as a lifeline for Gaza's population of over 1.7 million.
According to al-Rafati, the Egyptian army has destroyed nearly 126 border tunnels, which have been used to get basic goods and medicines into Gaza during years of suffocating Israeli blockade.
Al-Rafati further called on the Egyptian government to reopen the Rafah crossing and allow the movement of people and goods through it.
More than 80 percent of the tunnels are no longer functional following their destruction by the Egyptian security forces.
Over the past months, Egypt has stepped up its crackdown on the supply tunnels leading into Gaza, which bring basic supplies to the Gazans in the besieged enclave. Egyptian army forces flooded several of tunnels in February.
Since the ouster of Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi on July 3, the Egyptian military has launched a campaign to destroy the tunnels, preventing the people in Gaza from bringing in most of their basic goods like construction materials, food, and fuel.
The destruction of the tunnels has reportedly led to an increase in the price of fuel and other commodities in the coastal territory. Palestinians have to wait in long lines at gas stations and face daily power outages that last up to 14 hours.
Several human rights organizations and civil groups have criticized the Egyptian army for preventing the people in Gaza from accessing most of their basic goods like construction materials, food, and fuel.
20 sept 2013
The Gaza Strip's crisis has run very deep as the Rafah crossing is still closed for the ninth day in a row in addition to the closure of Karem Abu Salem crossing for the second day continuously due to Jewish holidays. The crisis has caused a decline in pharmaceutical stocks which arrive to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing by 30%, and led to the lack of 150 types of medicines and 460 varieties of medical disposables in addition to more than a 100 varieties threatened with running out.
One thousand patients have been deprived from reaching Egyptian hospitals and delayed the arrival of dozens of specialized medical delegations from various countries around the world to the Strip, according to Gaza health ministry.
The crisis also has a severe impact on water and sanitation services in Gaza, due to the lack of fuel and electricity necessary to operate them.
The Ministry of Local Government has warned of the serious water and sanitation crisis in the strip that reached an alarming level and the breakdown of which is placing public health and the wider environment at risk in Gaza.
The impact of the crisis has extended to the fishing sector, which is threatened by stopping the work of 4000 fishing boats in Gaza in case they couldn't get the required amounts of fuel. The Energy and Natural Resources Authority suffers from an acute shortage of fuel needed to operate the only power plant in the Gaza Strip. Under these extreme conditions, caused by the closure of border crossings and scarcity of fuel supplies, the power station will be forced to shut down completely within the next few days, which will cause a major humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.
The loss of electricity generation will have a devastating effect on humanitarian services such as health, water and sewage services.
Under the current circumstances, the arrival of the Qatari fuel to run the power plant is critical, and the top priority of the Palestinian people who suffer from the blockade and restrictions in various walks of life. The Authority is receptive to any administrative or technical arrangements necessary to ensure receipt at the country level of the requisite quantity of fuel.
In this regard, the Euro-Mid, the Geneva based organization, warned of the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza which is expected to exacerbate in the light of the ongoing political crisis in Egypt, unless the international community intervene sooner to provide Gaza with the needed relief, and avoid further repercussions on 1.7 million people.
One thousand patients have been deprived from reaching Egyptian hospitals and delayed the arrival of dozens of specialized medical delegations from various countries around the world to the Strip, according to Gaza health ministry.
The crisis also has a severe impact on water and sanitation services in Gaza, due to the lack of fuel and electricity necessary to operate them.
The Ministry of Local Government has warned of the serious water and sanitation crisis in the strip that reached an alarming level and the breakdown of which is placing public health and the wider environment at risk in Gaza.
The impact of the crisis has extended to the fishing sector, which is threatened by stopping the work of 4000 fishing boats in Gaza in case they couldn't get the required amounts of fuel. The Energy and Natural Resources Authority suffers from an acute shortage of fuel needed to operate the only power plant in the Gaza Strip. Under these extreme conditions, caused by the closure of border crossings and scarcity of fuel supplies, the power station will be forced to shut down completely within the next few days, which will cause a major humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.
The loss of electricity generation will have a devastating effect on humanitarian services such as health, water and sewage services.
Under the current circumstances, the arrival of the Qatari fuel to run the power plant is critical, and the top priority of the Palestinian people who suffer from the blockade and restrictions in various walks of life. The Authority is receptive to any administrative or technical arrangements necessary to ensure receipt at the country level of the requisite quantity of fuel.
In this regard, the Euro-Mid, the Geneva based organization, warned of the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza which is expected to exacerbate in the light of the ongoing political crisis in Egypt, unless the international community intervene sooner to provide Gaza with the needed relief, and avoid further repercussions on 1.7 million people.
UFree Network strongly condemns the Egyptian military court sentences against Palestinian fishermen who were given a one-year prison sentence and a penalty fine for fishing in Egyptian waters near the Gaza Strip.
The five Palestinian fishermen were arrested by the Egyptian sea border police on 30th of August claiming they broke through the sea borders with Egypt.
UFree Chairman, Mohammad Hamdan, considered the Egyptian military sentences as a serious precedent action against Palestinian civilians which reminded us of the brutal Israeli practices especially that the courts were held in illegal and mysterious conditions.
The Oslo based Network called for the immediate release of the five fishermen and all Palestinian detainees in Egyptian jails who were arrested without legal justification.
UFree Network also called on Egyptian authorities to stop targeting Palestinians in Egypt and to put an end to the escalated incitement against them.
UFree Network condemns Egypt trying Gaza fishermen at a court martial
UFree Network condemned that Palestinian fishermen have been court-martialled by the Egyptian military. Five Palestinian fishermen, arrested by the Egyptian navy on 30th of August, were given a one-year prison sentence and a penalty fine for allegedly fishing in the Egyptian territorial waters.
UFree Chairman, Mohammad Hamdan, considered the Egyptian military sentences a "serious action which reminds of the brutal Israeli practices of trying Palestinian civilians in military courts with little or no legal standards,"
The Oslo-based Network called for the immediate release of the arrested fishermen and all Palestinian detainees in Egyptian jails who were arrested without legal justification.
UFree Network also called on Egyptian authorities to stop targeting Palestinians in Egypt and to put an end to the escalated incitement against them.
The five Palestinian fishermen were arrested by the Egyptian sea border police on 30th of August claiming they broke through the sea borders with Egypt.
UFree Chairman, Mohammad Hamdan, considered the Egyptian military sentences as a serious precedent action against Palestinian civilians which reminded us of the brutal Israeli practices especially that the courts were held in illegal and mysterious conditions.
The Oslo based Network called for the immediate release of the five fishermen and all Palestinian detainees in Egyptian jails who were arrested without legal justification.
UFree Network also called on Egyptian authorities to stop targeting Palestinians in Egypt and to put an end to the escalated incitement against them.
UFree Network condemns Egypt trying Gaza fishermen at a court martial
UFree Network condemned that Palestinian fishermen have been court-martialled by the Egyptian military. Five Palestinian fishermen, arrested by the Egyptian navy on 30th of August, were given a one-year prison sentence and a penalty fine for allegedly fishing in the Egyptian territorial waters.
UFree Chairman, Mohammad Hamdan, considered the Egyptian military sentences a "serious action which reminds of the brutal Israeli practices of trying Palestinian civilians in military courts with little or no legal standards,"
The Oslo-based Network called for the immediate release of the arrested fishermen and all Palestinian detainees in Egyptian jails who were arrested without legal justification.
UFree Network also called on Egyptian authorities to stop targeting Palestinians in Egypt and to put an end to the escalated incitement against them.
