STRANDED PALESTINIANS CALL FOR ABBAS TO OPEN RAFAH CROSSING

Gaza, 27 Rabi’ul Akhir 1436/17 February 2015 (MINA) – Palestinians stranded in a number of countries, including Egypt, have called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to work with the Egyptians to open the Rafah Border Crossing.

They have also requested the PA Ambassador in Cairo, Jamal Al-Shobaki, to make arrangements with the Egyptian authorities to help those Palestinians stuck in Cairo International Airport either to be released or allowed to return to Gaza via Rafah.

Dozens of Palestinians, including children, have been stranded in Egypt’s main airport for more than 20 days, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Tuesday.

“Some of them are patients and others have run out of money,” said a statement released on their behalf.

The Palestinians are “surprised and concerned” at the silence of the PA ambassador.

They hope that the crisis caused by the closure of the Rafah crossing will be resolved soon.

Meanwhile, the border closure has meant that pilgrims from the Gaza Strip were not able to travel to Makkah and Madinah last month.

Although the Umrah pilgrimage is optional, the blocking of pilgrims because of the border closure was very distressing for those who have saved for many years to make the trip.(T/P008/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)