In the context of their aggression against the Palestinian civilians in the OPTs, the Israeli Occupation Forces on Sunday 6 October 2002 tightened their siege around the Gaza Strip, restricting the passage of Palestinians trying to enter or leave the Strip.
Sources in the Palestinian DCO staff at the Rafah Crossing told Al Mezan that, starting from today, the IOF have imposed a new rule that prohibits Palestinians between the ages of 16 and 45 from traveling through the crossing point.
Palestinians were told that this procedure complies with a new order issued by the Israeli Defense Minister and that the Israeli forces have asked the DCO staff to cooperate by refusing travelers of this age group passage through their side of the crossing.
Should this be implemented, thousands of Palestinians will be restricted from leaving the Gaza Strip for study, medical treatment or trade.
It should be noted that the Rafah Crossing is the only exit for Palestinians who wish to travel beyond Gaza.
In the same context, Al Mezan fieldworkers reported that the IOF closed the Sofa Crossing, used by traders and workers, located on the border between Rafah and Israel, since the early hours of Sunday 6 October 2002.
The Gaza Strip has known severe and frequent food shortages during the past two years due to the closure policy imposed at this crossing.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights thoroughly condemns Israel’s escalation of these procedures, which constitute systematic measures of collective punishment.
The Palestinians right to free movement is protected by international and humanitarian law, namely that of the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons, of 12 august 1949 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of 1966.
Al Mezan calls upon the international community to intervene immediately and put an end to the continued violations of Palestinians’ human rights in the OPTs.
END