Stranded Palestinians to commence hunger-strike

Wednesday November 14, 2007 12:33 by Nisreen Qumsieh - IMEMC News& agencies

A group of Palestinian stranded on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing on Wednesday stated that they would soon commence a hunger strike in protest against their continued predicament.

In a message directed to the Palestinian Embassy in Egypt and the Egyptian and Israeli governments, the group called for an end to their plight, which has now lasted for more than three months, warning that they would soon have no choice but to commence with a hunger strike.

A spokesman for the group indicated that many of their number were suffering form severe medial problems and lack of basic necessities such as food and water, adding that situation would only get worse with the coming onset of the winter months.

Reports issued earlier this week suggested that the al-Oja border terminal would be temporarily opened to allow the group to re-enter the Gaza Strip, but the crossing remained closed.

The group has yet to receive any response from the involved authorities

rafah | refugees/immigration | news report nisreen at imemc dot org