Egypt formally opening the Rafah crossing
Egypt has announced that it will formally open the border crossing between it and Gaza at the Rafah crossing point, a move that is likely to allow the free flow of weapons and ammunition into Gaza. As of Saturday, therefore, the border crossing will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Fridays and official holidays, Egypt’s state MENA News Agency announced on Thursday. Palestinian men aged 18 to 40 will need visas to cross. Older men, boys and females of all ages will be able to travel without one.But don't worry: The Turkish inspired flotilla will show up to feed all the 'starving Gazans' next month anyway.
Both Hamas and Fatah welcomed the decision.
“This is an important move for the entry and exit of Palestinian citizens, and we hope it will be developed to enable the Rafah crossing to handle goods in the future,” Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nono told Al-Jazeera television.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Menha Bakhoum said the move was intended to “ease the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.”
Her government, Barkoum said, had not consulted any foreign country over the decision, which was taken in principle before the Fatah-Hamas unity deal was reached. “This is a sovereign Egyptian decision,” she said.
A Palestinian Authority official in Ramallah said the decision to reopen the crossing was taken in coordination with the PA leadership in the West Bank.
What could go wrong?
Labels: Fatah, Hamas, Rafah, Turkish obsession with Israel, weapons smuggling, weapons tunnels
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:00 PM
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