CAIRO: Palestinians stranded in Egypt after the closure of the Rafah crossing could all be back by the end of the week if the rate of return continues as it is. A further 950 Palestinians made their way to Al-Oja crossing Sunday to bring the number of returned Palestinians up to 3,350 since the crossing was opened on July 29. Estimates placed the number of displaced Palestinians at 6,000, and now over half have set off from Al-Arish stadium to begin the trek back to Gaza first through Al- Oja crossing into Israel and then back into the strip through the Erez crossing. "If things continue as they are, then everybody will be back by the end of the week, one of the Palestinians in Sheikh Zowayed in Rafah, Ibrahim Suleiman Al Ghalban told Daily News Egypt. Sunday's convoy included those with special medical conditions, who had asked for dispensation to travel to Al-Oja in cars, rather than by bus as is customary. And reports from Gaza seem to indicate that the returnees are being allowed in, although Hamas had previously warned they may arrest them for returning through an Israeli-controlled crossing. "Hamas have set up a checkpoint a bit after the Erez crossing, Al Ghalban said, "where they search all the people who are entering. They also confiscate all luggage for a day before returning it. However, everyone [coming through the crossing] is being let into Gaza. As the six-week impasse seems to be coming to an end, the remaining question concerns those Palestinians with ties to Hamas, and the fear that they may be arrested upon entry into Israeli territory. According to Al Ghalban, these people have indicated a desire to stay put in Al-Arish. "Those with ties to Hamas have refused to go back out of fear of arrest or interrogation. They intend to stay in Al-Arish for now, and their situation will probably be tackled after the others return, he said. While one issue seems to be getting resolved, another comes to the fore as anger of Sinai residents at the local government and Interior Ministry intensifies in the wake of the death of a 15-year-old boy at a demonstration in Maassura last week. Ouda Mohammed Ouda Arafat, 15, died last Tuesday as a result of injuries sustained in a protest where Bedouins and police clashed. The protests were against alleged plans to clear buildings within 150 meters of the Egypt-Gaza border in an attempt to curb smuggling. Maassura residents are planning a demonstration on Friday. They have renamed the main square in Maassura "Martyr Mohammed Square. Tagammu party member Hussein El Qayem told Daily News Egypt that the demonstration would be comprehensive, protesting not only the designs on Bedouin land and the death of Arafat, but will also double as a general anti-government rally. El Qayem estimated that 50,000 residents will attend the protest.
