Color Purple Author Goes to Gaza

Government will end Gaza blockade

(NEWSER) - As Egypt regroups after Hosni Mubarak’s exit, it is realigning its diplomatic ties: Officials plan to end the Gaza border blockade and forge closer ties with Iran and Hamas. As elections approach, officials say they’re working toward policies that better fit public opinion; meanwhile, they hope to regain influence in the region, the New York Times reports. “We are opening a new page,” says a Foreign Ministry official. “Egypt is resuming its role that was once abdicated.” More»

Facing citizens' anger, governments may be held responsible

(NEWSER) - As Israel's Gaza offensive wears on, officials in bordering Egypt and Jordan worry that the carnage is imperiling the possibility of a two-state Israel-Palestine solution. Egypt and to a lesser extent, Jordan, fear that responsibility for the humanitarian crisis there will fall to them, and that they may be forced to absorb Palestinian refugees, reports the New York Times. More»

(NEWSER) - The massive tunnels supplying food, medicine, and rockets from Egypt into Gaza are the bane of Israel's military, and a lifeline for Palestinians and the economy of Egypt’s destitute Sinai, the Los Angeles Times reports. Smuggling has been immune to military action, to the consternation of Israeli leaders. If it isn’t halted, “then one might very well ask why it was that we embarked on this war to begin with,” one Israeli general said. More»

Despite support for Palestinians, Egyptians don't want refugees

(NEWSER) - As Israel's military operation in Gaza continues, thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes and assembled at the Strip's southern border with Egypt. But except for a few severely wounded individuals, Egypt is not letting anyone through. It's not the first time, writes the Los Angeles Times, that national interest has trumped pan-Arab solidarity. More»

Egypt begins stopping Palestinians from entering

(NEWSER) - As Gaza air strikes raged on for a second day, Israel said it bombed more than 40 Palestinian supply tunnels used to transport weapons, BBC reports. Palestine said one tunnel intended to carry fuel from Egypt to Gaza had been destroyed. Fleeing the southern strip into Egypt, hundreds of Palestinians were forced back by Egyptian security forces who opened fire. More»