From Libya, Palestinians Return Home To Gaza
By Maan
One hundred and ten Palestinians who had been residing in Libya were permitted Wednesday to enter the Gaza Strip via Egypt’s Rafah crossing, weeks after fighting between pro and anti-government forces turned Libya into a battle ground.
The group, which includes Palestinian passport holders and their family members, as well as those who have verified travel documents but no Palestinian national identification number, were escorted through the crossing by Ahmad Al-Hafi of Palestinian consulate in Egypt.
Cultural attaché in the Palestinian consulate to Egypt Mohammad Hammad told Ma’an that Egyptian officials and several international organizations had been heavily involved in the process, insuring the accuracy of travel documents, and providing care to the stranded Palestinians in the provision of food, clothes, health care and buses to transfer them to Gaza.
As Libya remains in turmoil, and a no-fly zone remains in force by NATO forces, Palestinian officials say a window remains open for Palestinian nationals in the country to file for papers and return to Gaza.
Would-be returnees were asked to contact officials in the Egyptian consulate in Libya, and have their names registered for processing.
