Rafah border crossing
Photo: AFP
Gaza's Rafah crossing transferred to PA control
For the first time in a decade, the Rafah border crossing from Egypt to Gaza has been opened under Palestinan Authority's control; Hamas withdrew from the crossings on Nov. 1, implementing the first step of an Egyptian-brokered reconciliation deal between Hamas and the PA, with the PA to eventually take over Gaza.
Egypt opened the Rafah crossing point Saturday for three days on a humanitarian basis. This is the first instance in a decade that Gaza's border crossing into Egypt is running under the Palestinian Authority's control, ever since Hamas ceded control of Gaza's crossings with Israel and Egypt to the Western-backed PA.
In 2007, Hamas wrested control of Gaza by force provoking an Israeli-Egyptian blockade that severely restricted the movement of most of Gaza's 2 million inhabitants.
Rafah border crossing (Photo: AFP)
Hamas withdrew from the crossings on Nov. 1, implementing the first step of an Egyptian-brokered reconciliation deal to end the rift with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party.
(Photo: AFP)
Talks are to resume in Cairo this month to discuss the PA's expansion of its rule over Gaza and broader national issues.
(Photo: AFP)
Some 30,000 Gaza residents have submitted requests to leave Gaza to Egypt over the past few months.
(Photo: AFP)
Fatah and Hamas's reconciliation agreement between the two warring Palestinian factions was unveiled at a Cairo press conference last month and was signed under the watchful eye of Egypt.
