Posts Tagged ‘Aid’

Israel to Allow Cars into Gaza for First Time since 2007

September 20th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in News

GAZA CITY – Israeli authorities were to allow some 20 cars to be transported into Gaza on Monday, the first such shipment in more than three years, the military said. The decision to allow some 20 passenger vehicles to enter was taken in June amid international outrage over the deadly seizure of a Gaza-bound aid fleet but was held up by red tape and rocket attacks, a spokesman said.

A Palestinian smuggler is seen in a tunnel that runs between Egypt and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on June 03, 2010, part of a network of tunnels linking Egypt with the Islamist Hamas-ruled enclave to smuggle food and other essential goods, evading the crippling blockade imposed by Israel after Hamas took over the territory in June 2007.

Major Guy Inbar of the military’s Gaza liaison office said there had been “several problems” in coordinating the shipment with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, without providing further details. The delivery was also held up by near-daily rocket and mortar attacks last week, he added. (more…)

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Kouchner and Hague pressure Israel over Gaza

June 7th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in News

The EU could play a bigger role in ensuring aid gets into Gaza and weapons are kept out, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has said.

He urged Israel to accept an international probe into the deaths of nine activists on a Turkish aid ship. He spoke alongside UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, who said Europe would maintain pressure on Israel.  Israel, which blockades Gaza over fears of rocket attacks, has ruled out international involvement in any probe. The deaths a week ago sparked global condemnation but defiance from Israel, which insists it has the right to defend itself.

Another aid ship, the Irish-owned Rachel Corrie, was intercepted by Israel on Saturday and officials have begun deporting its crew and activists.

‘Transparency’ needed

In response to criticism that Europe had not taken enough action, Mr Kouchner said the EU was willing to check cargo on ships going into Gaza, and to play more of a role in controlling the Rafah border crossing from Egypt to Gaza. (more…)

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Gaza flotilla deaths: pressure builds on Israel for full inquiry

June 2nd, 2010 by admin | 1 Comment | Filed in News

” .. Israel says it will release more than 600 pro-Palestinian activists detained after commandos stormed an aid flotilla.”

Israel said last night that it would release more than 600 pro-Palestinian activists detained after commandos stormed an aid flotilla bound for Gaza – an assault which left nine dead and led to increasing calls for an independent, impartial inquiry.

The decision to free the activists came as first accounts from those on the ships began to emerge, with some claiming the Israeli forces who stormed the largest ship in the flotilla – the Mavi Marmara – shot to kill and used electric stun guns.

German politician Annette Groth

German politician Annette Groth, who was on the activists’ flagship, said Israeli talk of self-defence was 'ridiculous'.

The accounts differed sharply from those coming from Israeli politicians and military, who said the soldiers were provoked into violence. A spokesman said it had been a measure of last resort after its troops had found themselves in a lynching when they landed on the ship.

Israel insists its troops came under sustained and unprovoked attack, pointing to what it claimed was cast-iron video evidence and soldiers’ testimony.

All those detained would be sent home at Israel’s expense, an Israeli official said. “Things have evolved,” he said. “Everyone will be released, as long as long as they produce papers. No one will be prosecuted. Interrogations did not yield material that could result in a conviction in a court of law.”

(more…)

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