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Human chain against Israeli blockade

— Photo: AFP

STIFLING CURBS: Palestinian boys and girls protest against a crushing Israeli blockade in Gaza City on Monday.

Jerusalem: Tens of thousands of Gazans, including women and children, on Monday formed a human chain stretching 40 km along the Gaza Strip against the stifling Israeli economic embargo, even as Tel Aviv deployed a large number of troops to prevent any possible trouble.

Protesters from across the Strip, including thousands of school children, waved placards reading, “The siege will only make us stronger”, “The world has sentenced Gaza to death” and “Save Gaza”.

The Popular Committee Against the Siege (PCAS), a politically independent group headed by Palestinian parliamentarian Jamal al-Khudari, said the human chain would stretch from Rafah in the south all the way to the northern town of Beit Hanoun.

“Our activities are non-violent, but the world must know that our nation is in despair and under siege,” said Rami Abdu, a spokesman for PCAS, adding that he did not expect any confrontation with Israel Defence Forces (IDF).

Israel has imposed an economic blockade on the coastal territory, cutting vital supplies, since the Islamist faction Hamas took control of the area last June urging them to first stop rocket attacks against its southern communities. However, several international agencies have accused Israel of imposing collective punishment against 1.5 million Gaza residents by cutting down the supply of basic essentials. — PTI

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