Gaza's sole airport in ruins after Israeli attacks

Gaza's destroyed airport continues to stand witness to a shattered Palestinian dream of the right to free movement.


The Gaza international airport is located in the southern-most tip of the Gaza Strip near the border with Egypt.

Israeli forces bombed the Gaza international airport in 2001 and wreaked havoc on every corner of the coastal enclave's sole air terminal.

The destruction of the airport has badly affected the travel industry in Gaza.

The Gaza International airport was considered a first step towards Palestinian independence.

Its only runway was torn up by Israeli tanks and bulldozers during numerous incursions.

Nowadays Gazans must first travel an arduous journey to Egypt by car via the Rafah crossing to use either the Al-Arish or Cairo airports to board planes.

The International Civil Aviation Organization condemned Israel for the destruction of the airport.

Israel claimed that the air port posed a security risk.

Rights groups accused Israel of violating the rights of Gazans to freedom of movement by destroying the airport and keeping border crossings closed.

Years after its destruction many here say they are pessimistic about the airport being rebuilt again in the foreseeable future.

Gaza having an international airport could be a step closer to independence. Now, its debris stands as a symbol of its broken connection to the outside world.

www.presstv.ir...

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So why don't they rebuild it? Do Iran and other Arab countries only fund Palestine weapons and nothing else?

Originally posted by cass1dy09
So why don't they rebuild it? Do Iran and other Arab countries only fund Palestine weapons and nothing else?

If they rebuilt it that would mean they could not whine about it being closed!

If I recall correctly, the airport bombing was done during the Second Intifada, when Israel and the Palestinians were at something very much like war. There were attempts to bring weapons in by sea. Perhaps there was fear of an air lift? I don't know what the thinking was.

This is 12 year-old news. I would think an airport could be built in that time, if there was a strong desire to do so.

reply to post by cass1dy09


Because in a time where men, materials, funds and will is very very low, there's no point in building something so big and costly that will likely be destroyed again in 6-18months.

But there are plenty of men, materials, and funds for rockets to kill children. Got it.

reply to post by grimghost

Thats so incredibly sad.

What did Jimmy Carter call Palestine, the world's largest open air prison?

If the arabs care so much about the Palastinians
Why don't the rich shieks each give 1% of their worth to them for tha betterment of Gaza ?
Just a thought
Cody

reply to post by cody599

If the arabs care so much about the Palastinians
Why don't the rich shieks each give 1% of their worth to them for tha betterment of Gaza ?

Good point.

Similarly, if the west cares so much for the Israelis... why don't they carve out a Jewish homeland in one of their own countries? You know... instead of putting them right in the midst of a people they believe are inherently hostile towards Israelis.

reply to post by sk0rpi0n


A valid point
But I would counter with why did Egpyt and Jordan refuse to take back he Gaza strip and the west bank respectivley when offered them ?
Cody

reply to post by sk0rpi0n


Forgive me I didn't answer your question. Traditionally God Gave Israel to the jews. But as only God can verify that and I doubt he is going to enter this debate. I'll have to go with the UN. Probably easier to give them Israel knowing that the surrounding countries would attack.

I don't think they expected Israel to win though.

What's with all those propaganda posts in here? Are you people stupid?

reply to post by cody599

Traditionally God Gave Israel to the jews.

According to God, the Jews were to reside in the land as "foreigners and strangers"

the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.
- Leviticus 25:23

Israel happens to be a secular state that holds gay pride parades and mocks Gods messiah.
I doubt Israel would last too long.

Hint: Sodom and Gomorrah

Originally posted by sk0rpi0n
reply to post by cody599


Similarly, if the west cares so much for the Israelis... why don't they carve out a Jewish homeland in one of their own countries? You know... instead of putting them right in the midst of a people they believe are inherently hostile towards Israelis.

That's where they wanted to be. Several places were suggested, all were rejected. But as the old saying goes "They've made their bed..."

But as only God can verify that and I doubt he is going to enter this debate. I'll have to go with the UN

reply to post by sk0rpi0n

I don't think they expected Israel to win though

Not that I agree with the present governments policies.

The U.N. Resolution 181 partition plan was to divide the remaining 25% of Palestine into a Jewish Palestinian State and a SECOND Arab Palestinian State (Trans-Jordan being the first) based upon population concentration. The Jews accepted --- the Arabs rejected. They still wanted ALL. On May 14, 1948 the Palestinian Jews finally declared their own State of Israel. On the next day, Israel was at war with seven Arab armies... Egypt, Trans-Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Yemen. Most of the Arabs living within the boundaries of "Israel" were encouraged to leave by the invading Arab armies to facilitate the slaughter of the Jews. When the war ended, Israel survived even with a loss of 1% of it's entire population. Those Arabs who did not run away became today's Israeli Arab citizens. Those who fled became the seeds of the so-called "Palestinian Arab refugees."

Source

The modern day Israel was initially divided up like this




Pretty much indefensible I think you'd agree

Yet some how they managed

Please note the use of the wording

Palestinian Jews

I had a feeling this debate was in the offing

Thank you for being a gent in your replies

Cody