Traveling dream of Gazans

Traveling around for any purpose has become a far away dream for people in Gaza. The story started 2 years ago on 25th June 2006 when the kidnapping incidence of Israeli soldier Shalit took place. After that particular incidence, Israel decided to prevent the European international observers whom were observing the Rafah crossing point according to Rafah crossing agreement that were signed between Israel and PA in September 2005. however, the only window that Gaza has to pass to the world, which is Rafah, was not closed completely. The year 2006 witnessed few opening times coordinated by Egyptian side to allow Palestinian passengers whom came to visit their relatives in Gaza to travel out. Situation had become worse after 14th June 2007 when Hamas took over Gaza Strip ruling. After that date, all parties (PA, Israel, Egypt, and EU) agreed to close Rafah crossing completely claiming that one of the parties, who is PA, is no longer there. All Palestinians in Gaza, including students, sick people, visitors, and others were prevented from traveling out of Gaza Strip. In August 2008, some Palestinian fighters exploded the border wall and made some big holes in it, allowing thousands of Palestinians to cross over and enter Al – Araesh city of Egypt. The situation remained for nearly 10 days with some control and organize by both Egyptians and Hamas police and then it was closed again. Since that time, Rafah crossing was opened few times to allow humanitarian cases, few sick people, and few students to travel. However, thousands of Palestinians are still not allowed to travel, taking into account that Rafah crossing is the only lung that Gaza has to breath. More over, Israeli strong siege ever has make situation more worse, limiting Palestinian options to almost zero, taking into account that only few Palestinians can cross Erez, the Israeli crossing point from Gaza to Israel, whom are only UN and ICRC members and staff, and some of international NGOs members. However, Erez has tend to be a point where used as crossing point for internationals and people whom are not locals. For the time being and perhaps for the near future or even for an unknown period, traveling remains a sort of a dream that may never come true for Gazans.