Hamas officials in Gaza on Sunday 6 Teves prevented children from crossing the Erez Crossing into southern Israel for a one-week outing which enjoyed the approval of the IDF and Israeli authorities. The trip was intended to foster good-will and to permit the children, some who lost parents in Operation Protective Edge, to take a break from the harsh realities of their lives. Gaza officials confirm that they prohibited 37 children from taking part in the outing which was arranged by self-proclaimed peace activists.

According to organizer Yoel Marshak, among the children are those who fathers, Hamas terrorists YS”VZ, were killed in the fighting with Israel. Undeterred and determined, he hopes to reorganize the outing for another date.

Hamas spokesperson Eyyad al-Bozum said Hamas was protecting the children and that it will never permit such a trip to take place.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)