Ban Ki-moon, Ashton to visit Gaza crossing Israeli territory

GAZA, (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton were given authorization to cross Israeli territory on their way to visit Gaza Strip, crossing at Beit Hanoun Crossing, Israel said on Tuesday.

Radio Israel quoted a Foreign Ministry statement saying the permits were given "in response to the special requests" by the two senior figures. It added that the ministry "has decided to facilitate their entry to the Gaza Strip in order to allow them to get a first hand impression of humanitarian activities taking place in that area." The UN Chief had yesterday announced a visit to the Middle East in the hope of helping restart the peace process ahead of the Arab League Summit in Libya, due March 27.

Israeli political sources had earlier said Ashton was allowed entry to Gaza, but would have to cross via Egypt. The explanation given was that Israel does not permit personalities and officials visiting its territories to cross from there directly to the strip, lest that be construed as recognition of Hamas, which controls Gaza Strip.

In remarks earlier in the week, Ashton said she was due in Israel in mid March and that she would also like to visit Gaza to see the humanitarian situation there for herself.

Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin visited Gaza Strip last week in a first ever visit to the Hamas-ruled enclave by a top Western government official. The minister entered via Egyptian Rafah Crossing, having been denied access through Beit Hanoun Crossing back in December.

Many requests by western and European ministers, by the Turkish Foreign Minister, and by an EU parliamentarian delegation to cross via Beit Hanoun were also denied recently, as Israel maintains its stifling siege over Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.