Waiting and waiting for entry to the devastation that is Gaza

[DogPoundPup]

THE RAFAH crossing into battered, bloodied but unbowed Gaza is chaotic and confused.

The Egyptian gate is one of three into the devastation wreaked by Israel since December 27th on an already degraded and deeply disturbed land, impoverished and laid waste time and again by war.

Outside the wrought iron gate journalists swarm at a window into the dingy concrete box where officials pore over piles of passports and sheaves of entry permits. The gilt-trimmed gates are guarded by policemen wearing the black uniforms and distinctive flat berets sported by the force since the British were colonial masters.

The journalists brandish passports and frayed documents presented directly or faxed by their embassies saying correspondents may enter Gaza at their own risk. Doctors, nurses, and human rights workers also flash their documents at potential fixers and officials.

more ... http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0121/1232474670505.html