Source: alalam.ir, 30-7-2007
JERUSALEM (Al-Quds) -European and Palestinian human rights groups have jointly called for an immediate opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
The 12 groups said in a statement that the continuous closure of the border crossing for more than six weeks has caused severe harm to hundreds of thousands of Gaza residents who cannot leave the strip or return to it.
"The closure impairs their ability to earn a living, receive medical treatment, or pursue education abroad," the groups said in a statement.
Various reports indicate that more than 20 people have already died while waiting to return to Gaza from Egypt.
"Residents in the Strip must not be used as pawns in the struggle for control in Gaza," the statement said.
The closure has had quiet support of Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, who fired the Hamas government and installed a new one in the West Bank led by Salam Fayyad.
The Rafah crossing, the only crossing in and out of the Gaza Strip, in addition to all commercial crossings, were closed by the "Israeli" army shortly after Hamas took total control of the coastal region two months ago.
About 6,000 people have been stranded on the Egyptian side of the border, unable to return to the territory and living in deteriorating conditions.
A total of 413 of them have so far returned via "Israel" under an agreement between "Israel" and Egypt for the entry of 627 back to Gaza.
Under the deal reached between "Israel" and Egypt, the Palestinians will be transported across Occupied Palestine to the Gaza Strip, bypassing Rafah.
Those stranded will cross from Egypt into Occupied Palestine at the Al Oja cargo crossing, then be bused to the Erez crossing with Gaza controlled by the occupying regime.
Hamas officials have said that the transfer of the Palestinians through the Al Oja crossing is a source of concern, since "the occupying regime can easily detain some people and banish others".