Israel to allow some stranded Palestinians into Gaza Strip through Erez Crossing; Rafah Crossing to remain closed

28 July 2007

Bethlehem - Ma'an – Palestinian Minister of Prisoner Affairs Ashraf Al-Ajrami declared Friday that the 6,000 Palestinians stranded in Egypt at Rafah border crossing will be returned to the Gaza Strip by the end of next week.

Arjami said the Palestinian Authority has reached an agreement with Israeli authorities to transport the Palestinians on busses into the Gaza Strip through a different, Israeli-controlled crossing.

Palestinian Information Minister Riad Maliki told the Associated Press early Saturday that Israel has agreed "in principle" to allow the marooned Palestinians to pass through Erez Crossing, at the northern end of the Strip, as long as Israeli authorities approve a list of the names of each person who crosses over. The Palestinian Authority would be responsible for compliling the list.

The Palestinians have been trapped on the Egyptian side since interfactional fighting closed Rafah crossing on June 9th. At least 29 people have died while stranded.

Palestinian factions in Gaza, including Hamas, have rejected proposals to open Israeli-controlled crossings, viewing the use of Rafah as a matter of national sovereignty.

On July 13th, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon called for the opening of "all crossings into Gaza for the passage of humanitarian supplies and workers, as well as commercial goods."