Americans stranded in Gaza since Hamas takeover evacuated
Husband of one of the evacuees says two buses full of Americans traveled several hours to Israel Thursday.
By The Associated Press Tags: Hamas Condoleezza Rice GazaAfter weeks of waiting, several Americans have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip, where they were trapped when the Palestinian militant group Hamas took control in June.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations had petitioned U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earlier this month to aid in the evacuation of Americans trapped in the region. They were stopped from crossing the border back into Egypt or Israel after Hamas wrested control of the area from the rival Fatah movement.
The husband of one of the evacuees, Hossam Bahour, said two buses full of Americans traveled several hours to Israel on Thursday. The American consulate in Jerusalem organized the evacuation, Bahour said.
U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said U.S. diplomats and security personnel also had arranged evacuations from Gaza for U.S. citizens in late May and again in June.
Bahour, a naturalized citizen, hopes to reunite with his wife and three children this weekend in Israel.
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What exactly does Hamas control in Gaza? The borders? Trade routes? The airport? Water supplies? Utilities?
Given the comments here, I thought I might enlighten a little. American Arabs are viewed as Arab in America, and American in Arab lands. If their tax dollars can pay for nearly a third of the occupation, your tax dollars can evacuate them if need be. That aside, Gaza has little supplies and they are dwindling quick after the take over. I am sure it was an uncomfortable situation to be guests of people who are honor bound to serve their guest and yet have little even for themselves. I am proud that our government took swift action and thankful Israel allowed them passage out.
nationalities are eager to get out of the Gaza Strip, and I am sure, once they come the residents of Gaza will begin to knock on the doors, demanding to get out of this hell under the control of the forces of darkness and evil of Hamas.
What were they doing in gaza??Who paid the costs of the evacuation??Are they the peace now parasites??Are they protesting against Israel and find that hamas does not give a damn for them??SOME ANSWERS PLEASE HAARETZ !!
I thought Gaza was "calm"?