World Bulletin / News Desk

Israel's Southern District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday filed an indictment with the Beersheba Magistrate’s Court against two sisters of Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh for illegally crossing into the Gaza Strip for visiting him, an Israeli newspaper reported.

Sabah and Leila Haniyeh, who live in Beersheba, had previously requested permission to cross into Gaza for the visit and Israel had denied their request, The Jerusalem Post said.

According to the prosecution, the two women had entered Gaza via Egypt to circumvent the ban on their traveling to the Strip.

The Israeli newspaper said the court had adjourned the case to inform the defense lawyer of the two women of the indictment before it punishes them.

Israel has been blockading the Gaza Strip where around 2 million Palestinians live since June 2006.