US Lawmakers Visit Gaza, Shun Hamas
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Date: 2/19/2009 8:49:00 AM
Sender: VOA News
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US Lawmakers Visit Gaza, Shun Hamas
By VOA News
19 February 2009
A top U.S. senator and two other U.S. lawmakers visited Gaza Thursday, but had no plans to meet with the militant leaders of Hamas who control the Palestinian territory.
Democratic Senator John Kerry, chairman of the influential Foreign Relations Committee told reporters the U.S. has not changed its policy toward Hamas, which it considers a terrorist group.
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, center, lifts a bag of food to be distributed to Gaza residents as U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, right, watches at the UN food distribution center in Gaza City, 19 Feb. 2009
Congressman Brian Baird and Keith Ellison of the northern state of Minnesota, both Democrats, also were in Gaza Thursday. All three are inspecting conditions in the territory, ravaged during Israel＇s recent three-week offensive.
Israeli forces carried out a limited incursion into Gaza City Thursday, but no casualties have been reported.
Palestinian witnesses say Israeli tanks backed by helicopters briefly entered Gaza City and exchanged fire before withdrawing. They say Israeli forces moved into the city after anti-tank rockets were fired at them.
This comes after the top U.N. envoy to the Middle East warned of more devastating violence, unless a permanent and durable cease-fire is reached in Gaza.
Robert Serry said Wednesday that since Israel and Hamas declared unilateral cease-fires last month, Palestinian militants have fired 15 rockets and 12 mortar rounds into Israel. He said Israel has launched 19 airstrikes in Gaza.
In remarks to the U.N. Security Council, Serry also urged Israel to ease the blockade of Gaza＇s border crossings to allow in more humanitarian aid.
Israel says it will not lift the blockade until Hamas releases captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Hamas says Shalit＇s release should be negotiated separately from a long-term truce, as part of a prisoner exchange involving hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
Israel launched a 22-day offensive against Hamas in Gaza last December.
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