Arab envoy makes tour of Gaza
Source: Agencies |
June 14, 2010, Monday
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THE Arab world's top diplomat made an unprecedented tour of Hamas-ruled Gaza yesterday as part of a growing international push to end a three-year-old blockade of the territory.
Arab League chief Amr Moussa's visit was the first by a senior Arab official to Gaza since the Islamic militant Hamas movement seized the territory in 2007. Moussa was set to meet Gaza's top Hamas leader, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, in a diplomatic boost for the widely shunned organization.
Moussa's trip could signal a shift in Arab policy following Israel's deadly raid of a Turkish-led blockade-busting flotilla two weeks ago.
Many Arab countries have held the Iranian-backed Hamas at arms length, and one of the Arab League's most important members, Egypt, has been Israel's partner in keeping Gaza largely sealed.
However, widespread outrage in the Arab and Muslim world over the raid has prompted Arab leaders to join the growing international demands for opening Gaza's borders. In a first step, Egypt has eased the very limited travel at its Rafah crossing with Gaza.
On Sunday, Moussa entered Gaza through the Rafah terminal.
"The siege must be lifted," he told reporters. "All the world is now standing with the people of Palestine and the people of Gaza."
As part of the border blockade, Israel restricts imports to Gaza, only permitting a few dozen types of foods and medicines, while barring raw materials, including construction supplies. Virtually all exports are banned.
Arab League chief Amr Moussa's visit was the first by a senior Arab official to Gaza since the Islamic militant Hamas movement seized the territory in 2007. Moussa was set to meet Gaza's top Hamas leader, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, in a diplomatic boost for the widely shunned organization.
Moussa's trip could signal a shift in Arab policy following Israel's deadly raid of a Turkish-led blockade-busting flotilla two weeks ago.
Many Arab countries have held the Iranian-backed Hamas at arms length, and one of the Arab League's most important members, Egypt, has been Israel's partner in keeping Gaza largely sealed.
However, widespread outrage in the Arab and Muslim world over the raid has prompted Arab leaders to join the growing international demands for opening Gaza's borders. In a first step, Egypt has eased the very limited travel at its Rafah crossing with Gaza.
On Sunday, Moussa entered Gaza through the Rafah terminal.
"The siege must be lifted," he told reporters. "All the world is now standing with the people of Palestine and the people of Gaza."
As part of the border blockade, Israel restricts imports to Gaza, only permitting a few dozen types of foods and medicines, while barring raw materials, including construction supplies. Virtually all exports are banned.
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