Gaza sealed off

May 12 2003

By Evening Gazette

Israel sealed off the Gaza Strip today and imposed the most sweeping travel restrictions in years, as US Secretary of State Colin Powell ended his Mideast peace mission with little to show for it. He had called on the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers to take action on the so-called "road map" to peace, but his visit ended without any visible results. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has expressed major reservations with plan. Yesterday, as Powell separately met Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, Israel lifted a closure on the West Bank and Gaza, allowing several thousands Palestinians to return to jobs in Israel, while continuing to enforce travel restrictions between towns. However, the military closed Gaza again early today, citing unspecified security considerations. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT It barred Palestinians and all foreigners, with the exception of diplomats, from leaving and entering the coastal strip. The open-ended travel ban marks the first time in years that foreign nationals, including journalists, are being kept out of Gaza for an extended period.

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