Important News
- UPDATE: Israeli airstrikes kill eight civilians in central and southern Gaza
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- Palestinian youth killed, others injured in colonists' attack on Ramallah-area town
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- Israeli strikes on Gaza leave dozens of civilians killed and injured
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- Fuel shortages push Gaza patients to the brink as hospitals struggle to operate
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- ASEAN urges ceasefire in Gaza, condemns attacks on civilians and humanitarian blockade
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- Occupation issues forced evacuation orders for areas in Gaza City
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- 10 injured, ambulances attacked in violent assault by colonists near Ramallah
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PM Demands International Support for Re-operating Rafah Crossing
RAMALLAH, September 20, 2005, (WAFA)- PM Ahmed Qurei called Tuesday on the international community to immediately exert efforts for reopening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, otherwise, the Gaza Strip would be turned into prison.... Following the weekly meeting of the Government, PM affirmed that all preparations for reopening Al-Awda Crossing would be in a full readiness tomorrow.... He asserted that the re-operating of the Crossing need coordination with the Egyptian and international efforts.... Regarding the Israeli evacuation of colonies from the West Bank (WB), Qurei said that the Israelis evacuated two colonies only.... He called the international community to pressurize Israel to turn the evacuated colonies, in WB, into "Area A" (under full Palestinian control).... He mentioned that such issue was discussed between President Abbas and Israeli PM Sharon, as well as raised during meetings with US and EU officials but no obvious reply on it.... PM mentioned that the Israel's Apartheid Wall and colonization are horrible issues that threaten the status of the occupied Jerusalem. He called on the "world which needs peace" to immediately intervene and to end such pressure against Palestinians.... As for the legislative elections (on January 2006) PM said that the Government rejected any foreign intervention in the internal affairs.... Two days before, Sharon threatened to restrict the legislative election in the case of the participation of Hamas.... S.A.S. (18:46 P) (15:46 GMT)