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Palestinians stage peaceful protest against blockade

Palestinians formed a human chain in the Gaza Strip yesterday in protest at a crushing Israeli blockade, with Israeli forces on alert for any rush on the border.

Under a light late-morning rain, thousands of schoolchildren were joined by adults along Salaheddin Road, the main highway traversing the center of the impoverished coastal strip.

Slogans such as "The Siege of Gaza Will Only Strengthen Us," "The World Has Condemned Gaza to Death" and "Save Gaza" were among banners brandished by demonstrators, who gathered peacefully.

As the demonstrators dispersed a few hours later, a small group of youths set fire to a tire a few dozen meters from the Israeli army position at the Erez crossing and began throwing stones.

The incident drew fire from Israeli soldiers, and two of the youths were wounded, medical sources said.

At the same time, the army said it had arrested "around 50" Palestinians who had approached the crossing.

The Popular Committee Against the Siege, a politically independent group headed by Jamal al-Khudari, a member of parliament (MP) with close links to Hamas, had called for the demonstration against the months-long siege.

"This is a peaceful and civilized act to let the people express their rejection of the siege and of collective punishment," Khudari told journalists. "We are raising a cry to the world for it to act."

Hamas backed the protest.

"This is a message addressed to the international community and to the Israeli occupation, and I hope it will seize the opportunity to lift the siege," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said.

Hamas MP Ismail al-Ashqar warned that if this does not happen "there will be a hurricane that will flood the whole region."

Israel has sealed the territory to all but vital humanitarian supplies since Hamas seized power last June, in a bid to pressure the group to halt rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel by its own militants and others.

Huzeifa al-Masri, 14, said he and his classmates from the northern border town of Beit Hanun attended the protest because "there is hardly any food, and the Israeli incursions are frequent. We want to live in security like the rest of the world."

Most of Gaza's 1.5 million population depends on foreign aid.

Israel had warned Hamas it would defend its territory if there was any trouble.

"Israel will not intervene in demonstrations inside the Gaza Strip but it will ensure the defense of its territory and prevent any violation of its sovereign borders," said a joint statement from Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

Their statement accused Hamas of "orchestrating a premeditated effort to put civilians on the front line.
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