Today, Egypt reopened the Rafah border crossing which lies on its border with Gaza, allowing Palestinians to come through, some for medical reasons, some to be reunited with family and others for business dealings. This is the first time in four years that the border has been opened, and Egypt has indicated that this move is permanent.
The Rafah border crossing was opened at 9:00am local time, and by mid-afternoon, 200 Gazans had gone through.
Israel has criticized the opening of the border, as it fears it will be used to smuggle weapons. However, according to a report in Guysen News International, analysts believe it also has positive aspects. They indicate that Israel will not need to concern itself with supplying Gaza for its basic needs, since Egypt has now become the official portal. Israeli general Giora Eiland added that attempts to break the blockade will now be unnecessary.
The rulings indicate that women, children and men under 18 and over 40 years of age are permitted free passage from Gaza to Egypt; men under 40 will be required to apply for a visa which must be granted by the authorities for entry. A great majority of Gaza's population is under 40. According to a Palestinian official, a total of 23 people were turned away due to Egyptian security concerns. It was expected that by day's end, 1000 Gazans will have left to cross into Egypt.
Under Mubarak rule, Egyptian security forces used to either arrest or turn back Gazans wanting to cross. The blockade of the Gaza strip has been a thorn in the side of the Arab World, particularly in Egypt, where there have been large demonstrations of solidarity to free Palestinians. The ruling military leaders of Egypt vowed to end the blockade after former President Hosni Mubarak was forced to resign in February.
One Palestinian summed up the feeling of having the Rafah border crossing opened this way:
'The closure did not affect only the travel of passengers or the flowing of goods. Our brains and our thoughts were under blockade'
The border opening comes on the heels of a unity deal between the rival Hamas and Fatah Palestinian factions which was mediated by Egypt. Israel still maintains a naval blockade of Gaza, and commercial traffic will continue to pass through border points with Israel to enter the Gaza Strip.
A senior Hamas official has called on Egypt to allow the use of the Rafah border crossing for commercial purposes, adding that he hoped Egypt would play a leading role in the reconstruction of Gaza.
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