Former US President Jimmy Carter visits Gaza refugee camp

(16 Jun 2009)
Near Erez crossing, between Gaza strip and Israel
1. Convoy of UN cars carrying former US president Jimmy Carter driving into Gaza
2. Wide of convoy driving into Gaza, crossing in background
Jebaliya, Gaza Strip
3. Various of Carter standing outside of car looking towards tent camp housing Palestinians who were displaced during Israeli War in December/January
4. Convoy driving in Jebaliya
5. Pan from Carter taking picture to ruins of American school that was severely damaged during Israeli operation in Gaza strip
6. Various of Carter approaching American school
7. Wide of Carter in front of microphones
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jimmy Carter, former US President:
"I'll be meeting with the Hamas leaders as I did in Damascus a few nights ago. Hamas leaders want peace and they want to have reconciliation, not only with Fatah brothers but also eventually with the Israelis to live side by side, with two nations, both sovereign nations recognised by each other and living in peace. That's what I hope to see in the future."
9. Carter walking towards car
10. Carter standing on car ledge to take picture of devastation
11. Convoy driving away
STORYLINE:
Former US President Jimmy Carter continued his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Tuesday with a trip to the Gaza Strip where he was expected to meet Hamas prime minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh.
Ahead of the meeting, Carter toured the Jebaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza after crossing from Israel through the Erez crossing.
Carter is expected to deliver a note to Haniyeh from the parents of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, who has been held since 2006.
Carter met with Hamas' exiled leadership in Syria on Thursday and said they wanted "peace and they want to have reconciliation, not only with Fatah brothers but also eventually with the Israelis."
Hamas is being shunned by most of the international community, including the U.S., for refusing to recognise Israel or renounce violence, though Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has said repeatedly in recent weeks that his group wants to be part of a Middle East solution.
On his visit to Gaza Carter also visited sites damaged during Israel's war on the territory, including an American school.
Israel launched its punishing offensive against Gaza's Hamas rulers and the Gazan people on 27 December, it says, to try to halt eight years of rocket fire into its southern territory and deal a heavy blow to the Hamas militant group.
The operation killed more than 1,400 Palestinians, including more than 900 civilians, amongst them scores of children, according to Palestinian officials and human rights groups.
It also destroyed thousands of homes and heavily damaged Gaza's infrastructure.
Israel claims the death toll was lower and most of the dead were Hamas militants.
It blames Hamas for the civilian casualties, saying the militants used schools, mosques and residential areas for cover, a claim Hamas denies.
Thirteen Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
A strict Israeli and Egyptian, on one border, blockade against the impoverished and battered coastal strip has meant desperately needed materials to rebuild have not been allowed through.

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