Will Rafah be reunited?
PA, Egypt hold secret negotiations in bid to redraw Gaza-Egypt border, reunite Palestinian families. One suggestion being considered is reunification of divided town of Rafah
Senior Palestinian officials reportedly demand to amend the border in a way that would “annul the destructive influence left behind by the British Mandate in the area,” by reuniting Rafah and drawing the new border near al-Arish, as was the case in the past.
In the past, Israeli officials proposed land exchanges that would see the Palestinian Authority receive Egyptian territory near the border to be earmarked for the settlement of Palestinian refugees. The proposal aimed to address the high population density in the Gaza Strip.
Former Yasser Arafat advisor Bassam Abu Sharif noted that the redrawing of the border would serve to resolve humanitarian problems. Abu Sharif also demanded to look into the possibility of providing the Palestinians with a Red Sea outlet.
Warning shots at the border
Meanwhile, Palestinian National Security Advisor Jibril Rajoub announced the establishment of a joint Palestinian-Egyptian security committee to discuss arrangements related to the Rafah border. Rajoub said the committee will submit its recommendations to a joint ministerial committee, which will make a final decision on the matter.
Rafah border (Photo: AP)
According to Rajoub, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia will be visiting Egypt in the coming days to meet with senior Egyptian officials and discuss with them the reopening of the Rafah crossing.
The Palestinian official said no Israelis will be left behind at the crossing once it reopens and noted the PA and Egypt would assume the responsibility for operating the passage point. He also reiterated the Palestinian refusal to meet Israel’s demand to transfer the crossing point to the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Meanwhile, unrest at the border continues, with Palestinian police officers firing warning shots in the air Saturday morning in a bid to deter dozens of Palestinians from crossing into Egypt. In response, the Palestinians hurled stones at the PA forces, but no injuries were reported in the incident.
A senior security official in Egypt said eyewitnesses reported two other incidents Friday where an Egyptian border policeman and PA forces fired warning shots in the air in an attempt to prevent Palestinians from crossing the border.
