This came yesterday from ORSCP operative Ron:

oday, I had the chance to communicate with two of our five delegation members, Trent and Serena. I just got off the phone with Serena and this morning I chatted with Trent on MSN messenger. From what I have gathered, the climate has shifted to a less stable state. There is a “no-go” zone in northern Gaza adjacent to the Erez checkpoint where residents have been warned by dropped flyers that anyone found walking there will risk being shot. Helicopters have been shooting missiles there as well as ground artillary and snipers.

In fact, just a few hours ago, PA police stormed Rafah crossing (in the south) forcing the EU monitors there to flee.

Both Serena and Trent have indicated to me that the security situation there has escalated to a degree and that they’re receiving advice to be extra-vigilant. Rumors and gossip pervade the “street talk” there and often misinformation is passed around so its hard to believe what you hear from people on the street. The advice I’m referring to is from trusted friends there.

Wedenesday, there was a kidnapping near Rafah crossing and it was days before hearing anything- now the BBC reports unconfirmed reports of their release this Friday. This is a source of growing concern as none of the factions claimed responsibility. These folks are British citizens one of which was a young female human rights worker who had been in Gaza a year.

Various Palestinians close to different delegates have advised that the kidnapping is a symptom of growing chaos that is likely partly tied to the upcomming municipal elections scheduled for January 25th. The last two weeks has seen the storming of several municipal offices and Fateh party offices across Palestine by armed gunmen. In general, the situation there is becoming increasingly dangerous. (see the above imemc web site for good immediate information- our delegates go there for their news)

A few weeks ago, while I was on the phone with Trent, a gun battle erupted outside the window which lasted the better part of five minutes. Last night, he relayed that a similar, but more intense gun battle lasted a half hour outside their window.

In general, our delegates have been advised against walking anywhere (even one block to the internet cafe) alone as this could present the risk of abduction.

As of now, they are carrying on with their schedules, modifying them as needed and requesting transportation which is being readily provided by Palestinians who are genuinely concerned and willing to help.

As many of you know, Craig and Cindy are in the West Bank now at a conference and had tentatively planned and may enter Gaza next week to see friends and meet with delegates etc. The upside of that would mean seven folks from here in Rafah, the downside would be that the risk associated could be above normal.

Frankly, this is most likely continued fallout following the redeployment of IDF troops and settlers. The “withdrawl” created somewhat of a power vacuum and factional fighting is heating up. Kidnappings happen to make the ruling officials look bad or tomake some other sort of “power play.”

In a seperate conversation today, I told Donna Baranski-Walker from the Rebuilding Alliance a bit about the situation, and she has contacted some of her contacts to get a bead on the security climate there as its very difficult for us to know from a distance what the situation on the ground there is like. We’re monitoring an alert system managed by UNRWA. They have people in Gaza now as well.

I asked Serena to continue their dialogue for determining how long and whether to stay in Gaza under escalating conditions, so I hope that the five of them will discuss this and share what they feel comfortable sharing with our group here in Olympia. They’ve all been working hard on lots of wonderful projects which are poised to take shape this month, and it would seem a shame to just drop things and leave, but I’m interested in generating thoughtful insights from group members for our beloved delegates and the Corries.

Thanks,

Ron

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