ICRC: Israel suspends Gaza prisoner visits for 3 weeks

Ma'an News Agency
March 18, 2013

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/4037/icrc-israel-suspends-gaza-prisoner-visits-for-3-weeks

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israel has suspended family visits to prisoners from Gaza for three weeks for Jewish holidays, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Monday.

Israeli authorities informed the ICRC that residents of Gaza would not be allowed to visit their relatives jailed in Israel for three weeks, ICRC spokeswoman Arwa Muhana told Ma'an.

Muhana said the ICRC had informed families of Israel's decision.

Under international law, detainees are entitled to receive family visits.

Israel banned visits to all prisoners from Gaza in 2007 to pressure Hamas to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was freed in Oct. 2011.

In July, Israel agreed to resume family visits for Gaza prisoners as part of a deal to end a mass month-long hunger strike in Israeli jails.

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