Holy Land: Israeli incursions on Gaza hamper aid efforts

Source: MISNA

A series of Israeli air strikes on Gaza on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning left at least six Palestinians wounded in Gaza.

According to local sources, the strikes were conducted in response to a rocket attack yesterday on the Israeli town of Beit Hanoun that lightly wounded one person.

Israel has also tightened restrictions to the entry of goods and people in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli control of border passes is also hindering reconstruction operations after the massive damage caused by the Israeli 'Cast Lead' offensive in the Gaza Strip that between December and January left over 1,400 Palestinians dead, mostly civilians.

A United Nations team tasked with investigating allegations of war crimes committed during the operation plans to visit the Gaza Strip and Israel in early June.

South African jurist Richard Goldstone, who is heading the four-member commission, told reporters yesterday in Geneva that Israel has not formally responded to a request to enter the country, adding however that they were prepared to enter Gaza through Egypt's Rafah border crossing as a 'second choice'.

Meanwhile, the Israeli media gives wide coverage to a plan being elaborated by the US administration to revive the Middle East peace process. The reports not confirmed by the White House, said that President Barack Obama called for a lightening of the blockade on Gaza,in order to facilitate talks between Israellis and Palestinians, when he met in Washington with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently. Obama will be in Cairo on June 4, where he is expected to address the Muslim world.

Source: MISNA