Human chain in Gaza

Palestinian schoolchildren were forming a human chain the length of the Gaza Strip yesterday to protest a crushing Israeli blockade, with Israeli forces on alert for any rush on the border.

Coming from around Gaza, they were joined by adults along the main highway traversing the centre of the impoverished coastal strip, known as Salaheddin Road, an AFP correspondent witnessed. “The Siege of Gaza Will Only Strengthen Us,” “The World Has Condemned Gaza to Death” and “Save Gaza” were among banners brandished by demonstrators, who were gathering peacefully.The Popular Committee Against the Siege, a politically independent group headed by Jamal al-Khudari, an MP with close links to the Islamist Hamas movement, had called for the demonstration against the months-long siege.The aim was to construct a human chain from the sealed Rafah crossing on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt to the Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing in the north along the territory’s main highway.Hamas, which seized the Gaza Strip in June following battles with forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, has said it backed the demonstration but did not organise it.Israel warned Hamas that it would defend its territory if there were any disturbances.”Israel will not intervene in demonstrations inside the Gaza Strip but it will ensure the defence of its territory and prevent any violation of its sovereign borders,” said a joint statement from Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak.The statement accused Hamas of “orchestrating a premeditated effort to put civilians on the front line”.Media reports said the army was preparing for any attempt to storm the border fence around the Gaza Strip aimed at breaking the blockade.The Jerusalem Post said an artillery battery had been moved to the border for the first time in months.The Haaretz daily said, however, the rules of engagement would include various levels of warning and the use of live ammunition “selectively.”The newspaper said army and police commanders reviewed perparedness on Sunday night, and that 6 000 police had been deployed to the area to maintain order.According to Israeli army radio, Hamas may stage a mass march on the border to protest against Israel’s closure of Gaza, where most of the 1.5 million population depend on aid.Media reports said organisers were planning to place one person every metre along the roughly 40-kilometre road running from Rafah to Beit Hanun, for a total of around 40 000 people.- Nampa-AFP”The Siege of Gaza Will Only Strengthen Us,” “The World Has Condemned Gaza to Death” and “Save Gaza” were among banners brandished by demonstrators, who were gathering peacefully.The Popular Committee Against the Siege, a politically independent group headed by Jamal al-Khudari, an MP with close links to the Islamist Hamas movement, had called for the demonstration against the months-long siege.The aim was to construct a human chain from the sealed Rafah crossing on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt to the Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing in the north along the territory’s main highway.Hamas, which seized the Gaza Strip in June following battles with forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, has said it backed the demonstration but did not organise it.Israel warned Hamas that it would defend its territory if there were any disturbances.”Israel will not intervene in demonstrations inside the Gaza Strip but it will ensure the defence of its territory and prevent any violation of its sovereign borders,” said a joint statement from Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak.The statement accused Hamas of “orchestrating a premeditated effort to put civilians on the front line”.Media reports said the army was preparing for any attempt to storm the border fence around the Gaza Strip aimed at breaking the blockade.The Jerusalem Post said an artillery battery had been moved to the border for the first time in months.The Haaretz daily said, however, the rules of engagement would include various levels of warning and the use of live ammunition “selectively.”The newspaper said army and police commanders reviewed perparedness on Sunday night, and that 6 000 police had been deployed to the area to maintain order.According to Israeli army radio, Hamas may stage a mass march on the border to protest against Israel’s closure of Gaza, where most of the 1.5 million population depend on aid.Media reports said organisers were planning to place one person every metre along the roughly 40-kilometre road running from Rafah to Beit Hanun, for a total of around 40 000 people.- Nampa-AFP