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| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
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Ref: 119/2005
Date: 05 October 2005
Time: 11:30 GMT
The Continued Closure of Rafah International Crossing Point Transforms the Gaza Strip into a Big Prison with Disastrous Impacts for Palestinian Civilians
PCHR is gravely concerned at the continued closure of Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border despite the implementation of the “Gaza Disengagement Plan” by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). PCHR believes that as no agreement has been concluded concerning the movement and travel of Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip to other countries, the consequences for Palestinian civilians are disastrous.
Rafah International Crossing Point has been the only outlet for Palestinian civilians living in the Gaza Strip to the outside world, as IOF have tightened their grip on Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to the West Bank and Israel. Thousands of Palestinian civilians, including students, patients, traders and others, often travel abroad through Rafah International Crossing Point. On 7 September 2005, IOF closed the crossing. Since then, and even though IOF completed the implementation of the “Disengagement Plan” on 12 September 2005, the crossing point has been closed and Palestinian civilians have not been able to travel. The crossing point was reopened for one and a half days on 23 and 24 September 2005, following an agreement between the Egyptian and Palestinian authorities and the IOF. The crossing point was also opened for a few hours on Monday, 3 October 2005, to allow hundreds of Palestinian civilians to travel back to the Gaza Strip.
The continued closure of Rafah International Crossing and the failure to discuss its re-opening or provision of alternative crossing to ensure the freedom of movement for Palestinian civilian are of the responsibility of IOF, as they have maintained control over the border crossings of the Gaza Strip since implementation of the “Disengagement Plan.” By maintaining control over border crossings, IOF continue to control the lives of 1.4 million Palestinians. IOF have also refused to consider allowing the Palestinian and Israeli authorities to re-open Rafah International Crossing in the presence of a third party.
Consequently, PCHR calls upon the international community, including the ICRC, to force Israel to comply to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including respect for the right of freedom of movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
PCHR reminds the international community that the policy of closure and restrictions on movement violate the word and spirit of international humanitarian law. PCHR calls upon the international community and humanitarian organizations to pressure the Israeli government to fulfill its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.
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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
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