GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip: The leader of the militant Islamic group Hamas that rules Gaza has left the blockaded territory for talks in neighboring Egypt after the country opened its border for a few days.
The group said in a statement that Ismail Haniyeh left Friday, two days after Egypt opened the crossing temporarily.
It said the visit aims to discuss Gaza’s economic crisis “that put Gaza on the edge of the abyss.”
Talks will also cover obstacles stalling a Palestinian unity deal with the Palestinian government in the West Bank, it said.
To the frustration of thousands of Palestinians wishing to leave Gaza, Egypt shut the frontier after the Hamas delegation crossed and its military began an anti-insurgent operation nearby.
Egypt has kept Rafah mostly closed since Hamas took over Gaza in 2007.
Leader of militant Hamas leaves Gaza for talks in Egypt
Leader of militant Hamas leaves Gaza for talks in Egypt
Syrian authorities bust smuggling ring, tighten border controls
- Smugglers' boat collides with rocks as it attempted to flee pursuing as Coast Guard vessels
- The boat was about to illegally transport passengers from the Syrian coast of Tartus coast to Cyprus
DAMASCUS: Syrian Coast Guard forces have arrested members of a human smuggling network operating in the western town of Tartus, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Saturday.
Authorities pounced on the smugglers as they were about to transport passengers from the Tartus coast to Cyprus by illegal means, the state media said, citing a statement from the General Authority of Ports and Customs.
"The operation resulted in the arrest of all those involved, including the organizers of the trip," said the report, adding that the smugglers' boat attempted to escape as Coast Guard vessels surrounded it, but collided with rocks.
No details were made available on how many suspects were arrested and how many passengers were rescued. Criminal charges are being prepared against the arrested suspects, SANA said.
New restrictions on commercial transit
In a separate move to regulate trade and border security, the ports and customs authority has issued a new policy restricting truck access at land crossings and seaports.
Commercial trucks will now only be permitted entry for loading or unloading upon presentation of an original receipt from the Ministry of Transport’s freight office.
The transfer of cargo between Syrian and non-Syrian vehicles must now take place strictly within designated customs yards at border crossings.
Trucks passing through Syria in transit remain permitted, provided they are under a mandatory customs escort between entry and exit points.
