Gaza's Rafah Border with Egypt Opened

The new Egyptian government has re-opened its Rafah border entry with Gaza. The move comes after two weeks of deteriorating Israel-Palestine relations, but Egypt made no mention of this in opening the border.

The opened Rafah border crossing has already permitted several hundred Palestinians residing in Gaza to enter Egypt.

The Egyptian move nullifies the long-standing Mubarak-Israel policy of blocking entry to Gaza at Rafah, except for medical and other emergencies, in order to prevent Hamas from receiving embargoed military goods.

Gaza Strip residents now have an entry-exit point other than that with Israel, which is tightly controlled and Gaza residents will now be able to receive more of the ordinary goods they require in their daily lives.

Israel still maintains a sea and air blockade of Gaza but has recently allowed more goods to enter Gaza.

The Palestinian Authority sees the move as an indication that “the new Egypt stands by the Palestinian people.”

Hamas held a rally near the Rafah crossing to show its support for the move.

Israel has thus far refused to comment publicly.

Time will tell if Egypt’s decision is a humanitarian act to help Gaza residents or a hole in Israel’s blockade of Hamas that will ultimately lead to greater armed confrontation between the two sides.