EGYPT-ISRAEL-OPT: Confusion at Rafah border over who can enter Gaza
RAFAH, 16 January 2009 (IRIN) - For aid workers and volunteers anxious to accompany humanitarian aid into Gaza through Egypt's Rafah border crossing, 15 January was another day of waiting.
Only occasionally did the crossing's iron gate open to allow through a truckload of humanitarian aid.
The trucks were mostly from Egyptian or other Arab charity organisations, and mainly carrying medical items - the only consignments allowed through.
The rules governing entry into Gaza through Rafah are still unclear both for individuals and trucks.
The Egyptian authorities this week barred individuals from entering Gaza, but became relatively more flexible in allowing in medical teams. Small groups of Arab and foreign doctors were allowed through with their escorts (usually young Egyptian aides).
A convoy of trucks with medical supplies from Libyan NGO International Organisation for Peace, Care and Relief was waved through within about half an hour of its arrival.
Samia, a journalist who preferred to give only her first name, accompanied the Libyan delegation and tried to get into Gaza, but was turned back.
“I have a press card, I should get in,” she protested.
“There is no ‘should’ here. We follow our own regulations,” a policeman replied, before yelling at the crowd to leave the gate area.
Greek medical team
An hour later, in mid afternoon, a bus with a 26-member Greek medical team arrived at the border, having been held up at al-Arish, some 50km away, on 14 January.
“We are activists, journalists, doctors and parliamentarians. We wish to get into Gaza. The priority is for the medics to cross, but we all want to be there to reassure the people of Gaza that there are people coming to them from the whole world,” Ermioni Fresouli, one of the group, told IRIN.
However, the Egyptian authorities refused them entry, citing “national security”, according to Fresouli.
Medics only
The Egyptian authorities appear to be giving priority to doctors. “All groups of foreign medics are allowed into Gaza provided they have coordinated with the Egyptian Red Crescent and their embassies have approved their mission,” Khaled Atteya, a senior official at the Rafah border crossing, told IRIN.
During the day aid workers escorting the trucks made furious phone calls to Egyptian officials to try to get clearance.
A run-down shop near the border gate was doing brisk business selling tea and biscuits to the army of aid workers, volunteers, doctors, activists and journalists.
But by the end of the day none of the Greek doctors had been allowed into Gaza. They made their way back to al-Arish city, promising to try again on 16 January.
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Copyright © IRIN 2009
This material comes to you via IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations or its Member States.
IRIN is a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
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