Friends of humanity urges Egypt to open Rafah crossing, release detainees

Friends of humanity urges Egypt to open Rafah crossing, release detainees

[ 19/05/2011 - 04:07 PM ]

VIENNA, (PIC)-- Friends of humanity international called on the military Council and the government in Egypt to fulfill their pledges to break the siege on the Gaza Strip, open the Rafah border crossing and release Palestinian prisoners.

Friends of humanity said the population of Gaza has been exposed for 63 months to unjustified blockade and still cannot live normally.

The organization also called for releasing all Palestinian prisoners from Egypt's jails and enabling them to return to their homes.
It confirmed that the serious restrictions imposed on entry and exit of people and goods from the Gaza Strip violate the principles of humanitarian law, which prohibits mass punishment.

Palestinian interior ministry in Gaza retracts decision to close Rafah crossing

[ 19/05/2011 - 08:59 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- The Palestinian interior ministry in Gaza said that it retracted a decision issued Wednesday night to close the Rafah border terminal with Egypt.

Salama Baraka, the director of the crossings police department, said that the decision was revoked following promises by the Egyptian side to improve conditions on the crossing and to facilitate travel of passengers.

The Palestinian general authority for crossings and borders and the police department had said that the crossing would be closed as of Thursday until further notice due to the continued obstacles on the part of the Egyptian side.

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