The closure means absolutely no Palestinians are permitted to leave the Israeli controlled West Bank and Gaza Strip, except in “humanitarian cases,” who have to contact the Israeli Civil Affairs Department.
The measures were announced by Radio Israel on Monday morning, and will remain in effect until Wednesday.
The families called on all foundations and human rights organizations as well as politicians around the globe to put pressure on Israel to allow families to visit their children in prison. Most of the participants in the Gaza City sit-in have not seen their family members in over a year and a half.
The protestors told Ma’an that this would be the second Eid Al-Fitr that they would not be able to visit brothers and children in Israeli custody.
Some Palestinian factional leaders partook in the protest alongside the family members, such as Abu Al-Abid Salamah, member of the central committee of the Arab Front and coordinator of the prisoners’ committee of Palestinian factions. Representative of the Islamic Jihad movement were also present.
Mayor of Ni’lin Ayman Nafi reported the entry of dozens of Israeli military jeeps into the area Sunday evening, which closed streets and banned Palestinians from entering local mosques for the evening prayers. As a result, fierce clashes erupted in the center of the village.
Those injured from the clashes were 22-year-old Muhammad Srour and 25-year-old Nabil Fayiz, who were hospitalized in Sheikh Zayid Hospital in Ramallah.
Nafi said Israeli forces erected a permanent checkpoint at the village’s main entrance.
According to the de facto ministry of agriculture the sinking vessel and its operators were rescued by nearby boats. Omar Al-Habeel, the owner of the boat, said it was cracked down the side, but rescued from sinking.
Israeli forces continued to fire shells at fishermen in the area, and shots were also reported in the northern Gaza Sea, according to Hasan Azzam, director of fisheries in the de facto government agriculture ministry.
Local Gazan fishermen, who depend on their boats for their livelihood, were horrified. Azzam condemned the actions, saying they highlighted the cruelty and continuation of occupation despite the “unilateral withdrawal” in 2005.
| ||||||
We, the members of the Free Gaza Movement, regret to announce a delay in our plans to return to Gaza this week. Last month, 44 ordinary people challenged Israel's stranglehold on the Gaza Strip, knowing that ordinary people can help create extraordinary change. -- | ||||||
Delaying our Trip to Gaza
