Gisha asks Gaza DCO commander to allow Israeli citizens and their children to return to their homes in the Gaza Strip and to reunite with their families there

On August 19, 2014, Gisha wrote (Hebrew) to the commander of the Gaza DCO, Col. Khatib Mansour, requesting that they make the necessary arrangements to allow Israeli citizens, who wish to return home to Gaza after entering Israel during Operation Protective Edge, to enter Gaza with their children and reunite with their families there.

Many Israeli citizens move to the Gaza Strip after marrying a Gaza resident. The State of Israel allows them to fulfil their right to family life through the Divided Families Procedure (Hebrew), which regulates Israelis’ entry into and remainder in the Gaza Strip. Under current Israeli policy, this is the only way that these citizens can fulfil their right to family life.

As a result, Gisha sent a letter to the Gaza DCO commander, asking that they permit the Israeli citizens to enter the Gaza Strip in order to return to their homes and families as soon as possible, and at least before the school year begins.