31 dec 2014
Egyptian authorities declared intention to extend the depth of its security buffer zone from 500 meters to one kilometer on its border with the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian decision would lead to the demolition of more than 800 homes and the displacement of 1100 families.
North Sinai provincial governor Abdel Fattah Harhur told AFP that work will begin next week to double the width of a buffer zone being built along the border with the Gaza Strip.
Harhur claimed he had met families from the area to be evacuated to discuss the financial compensation or the alternative housing.
The initiation of the buffer zone started few days after a bombing attack on October 24 that killed 30 Egyptian soldiers to the north of the Sinai Peninsula.
Egyptian authorities claimed that the buffer zone would help in eliminating the terrorist groups' attacks against its security forces that have recently increased.
Amnesty International had earlier condemned the process and demanded an end to the demolition process of hundreds of homes on the border with Gaza.
The Egyptian decision would lead to the demolition of more than 800 homes and the displacement of 1100 families.
North Sinai provincial governor Abdel Fattah Harhur told AFP that work will begin next week to double the width of a buffer zone being built along the border with the Gaza Strip.
Harhur claimed he had met families from the area to be evacuated to discuss the financial compensation or the alternative housing.
The initiation of the buffer zone started few days after a bombing attack on October 24 that killed 30 Egyptian soldiers to the north of the Sinai Peninsula.
Egyptian authorities claimed that the buffer zone would help in eliminating the terrorist groups' attacks against its security forces that have recently increased.
Amnesty International had earlier condemned the process and demanded an end to the demolition process of hundreds of homes on the border with Gaza.
30 dec 2014
Dr. Essam Youssef, head of the Popular International Committee to Support the Gaza Strip, called on the UN to “exert more pressures on Israel to lift its unjust and inhuman siege on Gaza that violates the international laws.”
He called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to reconsider Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry’s reconstruction plan and to unconditionally relieve the suffering of the people of Gaza.
Dr. Youssef, meanwhile, welcomed the Palestinian ministerial delegation’s visit to Gaza Strip, calling for uniting all national efforts for accelerating the reconstruction of Gaza.
He called on the Palestinian unity government to work on the regional and international forums for the opening of all Gaza border crossings.
"Such continued Arab and international silence towards the siege must be ended", he said.
Dr. Youssef hailed the national and Islamic forces who participated in the national day to break the siege on Gaza and to accelerate its reconstruction.
He called on the Egyptian authorities to facilitate building materials’ access into the Strip according to Cairo conference’s recommendations.
He called upon the humanitarian organizations and charitable institutions, which announced its financial contributions during the Istanbul and Qatar conferences, to provide more practical steps in coordination with the commission to support the people of Gaza.
He called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to reconsider Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry’s reconstruction plan and to unconditionally relieve the suffering of the people of Gaza.
Dr. Youssef, meanwhile, welcomed the Palestinian ministerial delegation’s visit to Gaza Strip, calling for uniting all national efforts for accelerating the reconstruction of Gaza.
He called on the Palestinian unity government to work on the regional and international forums for the opening of all Gaza border crossings.
"Such continued Arab and international silence towards the siege must be ended", he said.
Dr. Youssef hailed the national and Islamic forces who participated in the national day to break the siege on Gaza and to accelerate its reconstruction.
He called on the Egyptian authorities to facilitate building materials’ access into the Strip according to Cairo conference’s recommendations.
He called upon the humanitarian organizations and charitable institutions, which announced its financial contributions during the Istanbul and Qatar conferences, to provide more practical steps in coordination with the commission to support the people of Gaza.