ID :
184528
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 07:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/184528
The shortlink copeid
EGYPT TO OPEN RAFAH CROSSING NEXT WEEK
By Saleh Jadallah
GAZA STRIP, May 26 (Bernama) -- The Egyptian authorities have decided to open Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt permanently beginning next week.
An Egyptian official said in a statement on Wednesday that the decision was part of Egyptian procedures for easing the movement of Palestinians from and into the Gaza Strip.
The official added that the authorities would use the same procedures implemented in 2007 before the Israeli blockade in Gaza -- with women, children under 18 and men above 40 would not need visa to cross to Egypt.
The Palestinian ambassador to Egypt, Barakat Al-Fara, confirmed that they received an official notification from the Egyptian side concerning the matter.
Last week, Hamas, which administrates Gaza Strip said that they wanted to close the crossing completely to protest the Egyptian measures on the crossing.
Meanwhile Palestinians in the barricaded Gaza Strip rejoiced at the Egyptian decision.
The people were facing many difficulties to get in and out of Gaza Strip during the period of the former regime in Egypt and especially after the Israeli blockade.
Hundreds of Gazan students could not complete their study in some Arab and foreign countries due to the travel snags. People who used to work in other countries were stranded in Gaza and lost their jobs.
Thousands of Palestinians who stay outside Gaza Strip were forced to enjoy their holidays away from their families in fear of being stranded in the narrow enclave.
Aum Yasser Sebeeh, 45, has not seen his son who studies medicine in Germany since 2007, for he is afraid of visiting Gaza and get stranded.
"We are very happy with the Egyptian authorities' decision. Now our son can visit Gaza without anxiety," said Aum Yasser.
Hamas, the Islamist ruler of Gaza Strip, appreciated the Egyptian decision to open the crossing.
"We consider it a daring and responsible decision which indicates the real Egyptian role toward the Palestinian cause," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoom.
Rafah crossing was controlled by Israel but after the Israel pullout from Gaza in 2005, the crossing was run by the Palestinian authorities (PA) and the Egyptian authorities in the a presence of inspectors from the European Union, part of an agreement brokered by the United states.
The agreement was suspended after Hamas took over Gaza Strip from its rival Fatah in 2007. As a result of the Palestinian division, the European inspectors have suspended their mission and the Egyptian authorities decided to open the crossing partially in coordination with the Palestinian side.
According to Palestinian analysts, the relationship between Palestinians and Egypt is improving after the peaceful Egyptian revolution against Hosni Mubarak and his regime.
The analysts say that the tension between Israel and Egypt is growing due to the new Egyptian stance toward the Palestinian cause.
-- BERNAMA
GAZA STRIP, May 26 (Bernama) -- The Egyptian authorities have decided to open Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt permanently beginning next week.
An Egyptian official said in a statement on Wednesday that the decision was part of Egyptian procedures for easing the movement of Palestinians from and into the Gaza Strip.
The official added that the authorities would use the same procedures implemented in 2007 before the Israeli blockade in Gaza -- with women, children under 18 and men above 40 would not need visa to cross to Egypt.
The Palestinian ambassador to Egypt, Barakat Al-Fara, confirmed that they received an official notification from the Egyptian side concerning the matter.
Last week, Hamas, which administrates Gaza Strip said that they wanted to close the crossing completely to protest the Egyptian measures on the crossing.
Meanwhile Palestinians in the barricaded Gaza Strip rejoiced at the Egyptian decision.
The people were facing many difficulties to get in and out of Gaza Strip during the period of the former regime in Egypt and especially after the Israeli blockade.
Hundreds of Gazan students could not complete their study in some Arab and foreign countries due to the travel snags. People who used to work in other countries were stranded in Gaza and lost their jobs.
Thousands of Palestinians who stay outside Gaza Strip were forced to enjoy their holidays away from their families in fear of being stranded in the narrow enclave.
Aum Yasser Sebeeh, 45, has not seen his son who studies medicine in Germany since 2007, for he is afraid of visiting Gaza and get stranded.
"We are very happy with the Egyptian authorities' decision. Now our son can visit Gaza without anxiety," said Aum Yasser.
Hamas, the Islamist ruler of Gaza Strip, appreciated the Egyptian decision to open the crossing.
"We consider it a daring and responsible decision which indicates the real Egyptian role toward the Palestinian cause," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoom.
Rafah crossing was controlled by Israel but after the Israel pullout from Gaza in 2005, the crossing was run by the Palestinian authorities (PA) and the Egyptian authorities in the a presence of inspectors from the European Union, part of an agreement brokered by the United states.
The agreement was suspended after Hamas took over Gaza Strip from its rival Fatah in 2007. As a result of the Palestinian division, the European inspectors have suspended their mission and the Egyptian authorities decided to open the crossing partially in coordination with the Palestinian side.
According to Palestinian analysts, the relationship between Palestinians and Egypt is improving after the peaceful Egyptian revolution against Hosni Mubarak and his regime.
The analysts say that the tension between Israel and Egypt is growing due to the new Egyptian stance toward the Palestinian cause.
-- BERNAMA
