Fate of Gazan kidnapped by Egyptian soldiers still unknown

The family of Qishta from Rafah area in southern Gaza has not received information about the fate of its son Abdul-Qader since he was kidnapped by an Egyptian security force from a bus two weeks ago as he was heading to Mecca for pilgrimage.

Abdul-Qader was with his mother and other Gazan citizens aboard the bus. He was one of those pilgrims who were chosen to perform Hajj rituals as guests of the Saudi monarch in the holy lands.

An Egyptian security force led by a senior officer stopped on August 27 one of the buses carrying Palestinian pilgrims as it was traveling on a road in Sheikh Zuweid town after it crossed into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing and then rounded up 41-year-old Abdul-Qader Qishta.

500 pilgrims who traveled to Makkah for Hajj rituals as guests of the Saudi Monarch arrived in Gaza last Friday through the Rafah crossing except for Qishta and his mother.

The kidnapee’s mother is still in Saudi Arabia after her health has worsened because of her concern over the fate of her son.