No escape for Palestinians held in Gaza violence

Gaza, Dec 22: Gunfights, air strikes, kidnappings and a collapsing economy have prompted many Palestinians to consider fleeing the Gaza Strip. The problem is, no one has anywhere to go.

While the coastal territory, home to 1.4 million Palestinians, shares a short border with Egypt, the crossing has invariably been closed in recent months. Israel says security concerns are the reason.

The rest of the strip is either surrounded by sea or the Jewish state itself, and most Gazans cannot go there.

The best hope is to find a way to get to Egypt and either stay there or look for temporary refuge in a third country.

Since more than half of Gazans are already classified by the United Nations as refugees, that means many of those trying to get out are refugees seeking to become refugees.

''I am really thinking of leaving but were should I go? No country would accept us,'' said Abdel Salam, 34-year-old computer technician in Gaza City.

''I want to do this for the safety of my children. I will go crazy if something happens to them, God forbid.'' While a tentative ceasefire is holding between rival militants in Gaza following several days of clashes, Gazans fear it is only a matter of time before the truce collapses.

INTENT ON ESCAPE

They remain intent on escaping the chaos, even if they know no country is likely to host them on a permanent basis and that visas are rarely issued to Palestinian refugees.

Baha Balousha, 36, who lost three children this month when gunmen opened fire as they were being dropped off at school, said he understood the need for Palestinians to escape.

REUTERS

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