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Allowing the Palestinians stranded at Rafah crossing to return

Several sources said the Egyptian authorities started preparing lists of names of the Palestinians stranded on the Egyptian side at Rafah Crossing who will be transported into Gaza Strip through al-Oja Border Crossing between Egypt and Israel which is 70kms away from Karam Abu Salem Crossing south of Gaza Strip. The sources said a list of 600 passengers has been prepared and that coaches will transport them on Monday morning to Oja Crossing and then to Bet Hanoun "Erez" Crossing and from there they will enter Gaza Strip. The sources said registering the names of people to be included in the list is optional and the Egyptian authorities will not exert any pressure on any passenger to use the above mentioned crossing because of security reasons, explaining that those who feel that their lives will be endangered if they use this crossing, they will be made to enter through Rafah Crossing later. Informed sources said an Egyptian-Palestinian-Israeli agreement has been reached in the past few days to allow citizens stranded in the Egyptian territories to enter into Gaza Strip through al-Oja ground crossing which Israel uses to bring in Egyptian goods into Israel instead of Rafah Crossing and then to Gaza Strip through Bet Hanoun "Erez" Israeli crossing. The sources said the Egyptian authorities handed Israeli FM Livni lists of names of those stranded in the Egyptian territories and Israel agreed to allow the entry of 700 Palestinians at the initial phase and 100 of them are scheduled to be allowed in today, Sunday, and on Monday 500 passengers will be allowed in and on Tuesday 100 passengers will be allowed in.

Hamas Movement rejected the agreement of allowing the Palestinians to enter into Gaza Strip through alternative crossings. Hamas described the decision as facilitating the mission of the Israeli occupation to hunt whoever they want from the Palestinians. Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesperson, said those responsible for obstructing the opening of Rafah Crossing are the same people who are seeking alternative crossings to facilitate the mission of the occupation to arrest whoever they want.

Published at Al Quds NewsPaper on July 29, 2007