Hamas officials in Gaza on Sunday 6 Teves prevented children from crossing the Erez Crossing into southern Israel for a one-week outing which enjoyed the approval of the IDF and Israeli authorities. The trip was intended to foster good-will and to permit the children, some who lost parents in Operation Protective Edge, to take a break from the harsh realities of their lives. Gaza officials confirm that they prohibited 37 children from taking part in the outing which was arranged by self-proclaimed peace activists.

According to organizer Yoel Marshak, among the children are those who fathers, Hamas terrorists YS�VZ, were killed in the fighting with Israel. Undeterred and determined, he hopes to reorganize the outing for another date.

Hamas spokesperson Eyyad al-Bozum said Hamas was protecting the children and that it will never permit such a trip to take place.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)