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The Egypt-Gaza border, during a reopening of the Rafah crossing last month. (AP)
Last update - 22:22 20/09/2008
Tony Blair's sister-in-law leaves Gaza after being stranded in Strip for nearly a month
By The Associated Press and Haaretz Service
Tags: Gaza Strip, Israel, Egypt 

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's sister-in-law has crossed into Egypt from the Gaza Strip, after she was stranded there since she came with another 45 pro-Palestinian activists who sailed into Gaza waters on Aug. 23 to draw attention to Israel's blockade of the coastal territory.

Booth has been trying to leave Gaza since last month but was turned away at Israeli and Egyptian crossings.

An Associated Press reporter saw Lauren Booth getting her passport stamped Saturday while inside the Egyptian side of the Rafah border terminal. Police prevented reporters from talking with her.
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Egypt has opened it border on several occasions for humanitarian cases. It plans to keep the crossing open through Sunday.

Palestinian officials say a terminal on the Gaza-Egypt border is operating temporarily to allow the passage of university students and medical patients, as well as 40 passenger buses of pilgrims headed for Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The Rafah crossing is usually closed as part of a blockade of Gaza by Israel and Egypt. The blockade was imposed after the violent takeover of Gaza by the Islamic militant Hamas more than a year ago.

Egypt allows Rafah to open from time to time to deal with hardship cases.
This time, Rafah is to be open on Saturday and Sunday.

Ehab Ghussen of the Hamas Interior Ministry says some 3,000 Gazan have registered for departure during the two days. Among those trying to get out are Gaza students accepted at foreign universities and medical
patients seeking treatment abroad.

A permanent opening of the Rafah crossing is one of the preconditions Hamas has laid out for Israel in exchange for the release of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, the London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat quoted a senior Hamas official as saying Friday.

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      1.   What`s the hurry to leave Gaza? 18:06  |  Israeli citizen 20/09/08
      2.   What`s the hurry to leave Gaza? 19:38  |  Israel citizen 20/09/08
      3.   Ha Ha Ha 20:10  |  MarkC 20/09/08
      4.   She left because Dogmushi are otherwise busy with own troubles 20:50  |  Alan SA 20/09/08
      5.   takeover by hamas? they were elected 20:51  |  get a clue 20/09/08
      6.   25 miles of Med beach 21:08  |  Jess Ghanam 20/09/08
      7.   We never hear a word from Alan Johnston after he got home 22:23  |  redmike 20/09/08
      8.   What`s the hurry to return Gilad Shalit? 22:45  |  Avi 20/09/08
      9.   A limeric in her honour 23:08  |  Miche Norman 20/09/08
      10.   #9 your a poet and didn`t know it :-) 00:29  |  johnymac 21/09/08
      11.   did she cross into Egypt on her Gaza diplomatic passport 00:38  |  zionist forever 21/09/08
      12.   bless you, Lauren 01:57  |  wibism 21/09/08
      13.   Booth now a humanitarian case 02:00  |  Joe Sittizen 21/09/08
      14.   Arab/Muslim countries should be waiting 02:44  |  Great White North 21/09/08
      15.   Deep down there, does she feel embarassed by her stupidity? 03:55  |  Fortuna Benmayor 21/09/08
      16.   Flash--AP--tony blair`s blah blah blah. 05:59  |  Mark 21/09/08
      17.   Lauren Booth spoilt rich girl 08:42  |  x-ray 21/09/08
      18.   To all defenders of Human Rights : 08:43  |  Jean Van Daem 21/09/08
      19.   #1 the hurry is because no boats are going back there 09:01  |  v.hardman 21/09/08
      20.   #12 Bless you, wibism 09:19  |  hala 21/09/08
      21.   BLAIR`S KIN COULD NOT GET ATTENTION ANY OTHER WAY THAN TO GO TO 09:26  |  glenna 21/09/08
      22.   stranded? 10:11  |  whocares? 21/09/08
      23.   #12: Beautiful Gazan Citizens???? 10:32  |  laurie 21/09/08
      24.   #12: Beautiful Gazan Citizens???? 10:32  |  laurie 21/09/08
      25.   #12 wibism and the realms of total fiction 10:58  |  v.hardman 21/09/08
      26.   Lauren 11:16  |  Me 21/09/08
      27.   Thanks, Lauren.... 13:09  |  Ben Alofs 21/09/08
      28.   wibism in fantasyland 15:54  |  lady from USA 21/09/08
      29.   If conditions in Gaza are so bad 15:58  |  lady from USA 21/09/08
      30.   Why did they wait so long? 19:57  |  * BEN JABO 21/09/08
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