Egypt temporarily re-opens Gaza's Rafah crossing

[EgyptianAmerican]

Officials say more than 20,000 people desperately needing to travel abroad for treatment remain stuck in Gaza.

The Rafah border crossing opened for three days starting on Saturday


Egypt has temporarily reopened the Rafah border crossing, in one direction, to allow hundreds of stranded Palestinians to return to the Gaza Strip, according to officials.

The Rafah border, the only crossing from Gaza bypassing Israel, opened for three days starting on Saturday, allowing people in but not out.

"Egyptian authorities reopened the Rafah crossing for three days only, from Saturday until Monday, and only in one direction to allow those stranded on the Egyptian side to return home," Palestinian officials said in a statement, describing the move as a "humanitarian" gesture.


Gaza's border authority also said that more than 20,000 Palestinians, "who are considered humanitarian cases", are stuck in the Strip in desperate need of travelling abroad to receive treatment.

The Rafah crossing is the only remaining gateway for Palestinians in Gaza to the outside world, after Israel imposed a stifling blockade on the Strip - enforced also by Egypt - a decade ago.

But it has remained largely closed in recent years because of tensions between Egypt and Gaza's rulers, Hamas.

Egypt has severely restricted entry through Rafah since June 2013, when Abdel Fattah el-Sisi became president following the ousting of his predecessor, Mohamed Morsi.

The United Nations said Rafah opened on a partial basis for 44 days last year, compared to 32 in 2015. Only 1,713 patients were allowed to travel to Egypt for healthcare in 2016.

Prior to the closure, more than 4,000 residents from Gaza crossed to Egypt monthly for health-related reasons, the UN said.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/...pens-gaza-rafah-crossing-170506134401488.html

@Sharif al-Hijaz @Frogman @MICA @Amun @DavidSling @Solomon2 @Falcon29 @Malik Alashter @AmirPatriot @Cthulhu @Gomig-21 @Luffy 500

 

[EgyptianAmerican]

I honestly hate it the blockade. It's terrible and inhumane, we should be able to open the border and tax all the materials that go through to Gaza making more money for us and helping the Palestinians.

 

[Gomig-21]

I honestly hate it the blockade. It's terrible and inhumane, we should be able to open the border and tax all the materials that go through to Gaza making more money for us and helping the Palestinians.

Completely agree. Opening it in one direction means people couldn't return to their home for a while. At least in that direction should be unimpeded. Not sure what the benefit to Egypt was in keeping them from returning to their homes. Then call it a "Humanitarian gesture"?

BTW, I never got the tag, just FYI. I happened to check general Mid East News and saw you opened this thread. Tagging is apparently not working and makes us seem like we're ignoring those who tag us, but not the case.

 

[EgyptianAmerican]

Completely agree. Opening it in one direction means people couldn't return to their home for a while. At least in that direction should be unimpeded. Not sure what the benefit to Egypt was in keeping them from returning to their homes. Then call it a "Humanitarian gesture"?

BTW, I never got the tag, just FYI. I happened to check general Mid East News and saw you opened this thread. Tagging is apparently not working and makes us seem like we're ignoring those who tag us, but not the case.

Don't worry I expected the tag system to not work. Something is up with it.

I honestly don't understand the benefit that blocking Gaza gives to Egypt except making Israel happy. The amount of money the Egyptian government could make by opening the border would be a lot and would massively help the people of Gaza.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

I agree completely. I never understood such a policy. Sure, not recognizing Hamas is one thing but punishing the people of Gaza for it, makes little sense to me. Had Egypt taken another approach back in 2007, they could have possibly influenced Hamas in a more desirable direction.

I think that Arab countries (regimes in power) should be able to look past regimes/people/ideologies ruling Arab country/territory x or y currently and the people in those territories. It should not be acceptable to indirectly or directly punish innocent people for having committed the sin of being ruled by people that an outside Arab country dslikes or disagrees with.

Our solidarity with our brethren should be much greater than this and obviously the actions of regimes in this regard do not reflect the Arab people as this blockade of Gaza does not reflect the majority opinion of Egyptians.

Sure some Egyptians like other Arabs might not like what Hamas stands for ideology wise or they simply might prefer Fatah to control Gaza but such a dislike should not harm the ordinary person.

A middle ground and a much better solution should have been found to the benefit of all parties involved.

 

[Gomig-21]

I honestly don't understand the benefit that blocking Gaza gives to Egypt except making Israel happy.

That might have something to do with it, although Mubarak used to claim something along the lines that it was Israel's way of pushing Gaza's responsibility onto Egypt, hence the Rafah border closing to force Israel to deal with Gaza's responsibility as a quasi occupied territory instead of being alleviated of it and indirectly handing its responsibility to Egypt. A big reason why there were so many failed agreements as to who would man the border between the Egyptian authority, Hamas, PIJ and Fatah. Too many hands involved and not for the people suffering but for control purposes. Then you have the tunnels issue and how they would be impacted if flow increased. They're easier to deal with without people crossing through and making arrangements for certain things to be smuggled back, even though the tunnels were seemingly created as a result of the border being shut. Dealing with the tunnels is still easier when their means of operating them is restricted to only the tunnels themselves, and not by another source as well. It's amazing how complicated and involved that situation is.

 

[Fledgingwings]

Why they closed the crossing point at the first place?

 

[MICA]

The blockade was a must at first but now I am 100% with wisely opening the borders and control it other than makes people in Palestine/gaza suffer , I blame hamas though

 

[EastBengalPro]

Good decision...Egypt never should close it border/crossing for Palestinians.

 

[Falcon29]

That might have something to do with it, although Mubarak used to claim something along the lines that it was Israel's way of pushing Gaza's responsibility onto Egypt, hence the Rafah border closing to force Israel to deal with Gaza's responsibility as a quasi occupied territory instead of being alleviated of it and indirectly handing its responsibility to Egypt. A big reason why there were so many failed agreements as to who would man the border between the Egyptian authority, Hamas, PIJ and Fatah. Too many hands involved and not for the people suffering but for control purposes. Then you have the tunnels issue and how they would be impacted if flow increased. They're easier to deal with without people crossing through and making arrangements for certain things to be smuggled back, even though the tunnels were seemingly created as a result of the border being shut. Dealing with the tunnels is still easier when their means of operating them is restricted to only the tunnels themselves, and not by another source as well. It's amazing how complicated and involved that situation is.

What Mubarak said does have truth to it. Israel wants Egypt to hold responsibility or a big part of it in regards to Gaza. It wants Egypt to act as sole commercial crossing source. If the siege were to end, by instilling a seaport or airport or both, both Egypt and Israel would have decreased responsibility. The seaport would be controlled by Israel or EU nations, to clear any security concerns. The Dutch have also offered security systems for Israeli borders on Gaza to allow for free flow of imports/exports, which Israel rejected. Israel has no excuse at this point to greatly limit exports/imports or allow Gaza some kind of sovereignty.

It's one thing if they don't want to be responsible for travel, which Egypt can use the Rafah border, but they have 6-7 commercial crossing borders with Gaza, while Egypt has 1, and they need to open that up for maximum flow.

Hamas's new charter has dissolved it's relationship with the MB, I don't think that will fix everything however. Egypt is under lots of pressure from the US to keep the border as it is. Hamas doesn't mind handling control of the borders, but they are not handing all of Gaza to the PA if the the US insists Palestinians have no arms. We are a people and have a right to a military to protect our land. Either the US accepts that right we have, or we procure arms ourselves. We should be allowed to have a military. Anyone that opposes can say goodbye to any legal agreements, they mean nothing if they persist with that condition.

 

[Gomig-21]

I agree completely. I never understood such a policy. Sure, not recognizing Hamas is one thing but punishing the people of Gaza for it, makes little sense to me. Had Egypt taken another approach back in 2007, they could have possibly influenced Hamas in a more desirable direction.

We can thank the Israel/Mubarak/Fatah "coalition" for that and not having the ability to sit down and work things out for the common good of the people. The main concern always starts with Israel's security, which then influences the power grab of the other two. If they truly had in mind the interest of the Palestinians living in Gaza, they most certainly could have found a way as you mentioned. But the interest of the people is never primary to these power-clutching mafiosi. It's not even secondary. It comes after a list of 4 or 5 other selfish priorities. That mentality is truly a disgrace.

I think that Arab countries (regimes in power) should be able to look past regimes/people/ideologies ruling Arab country/territory x or y currently and the people in those territories. It should not be acceptable to indirectly or directly punish innocent people for having committed the sin of being ruled by people that an outside Arab country dslikes or disagrees with.

And there in lies the crux of the problem. This will come up a lot when it comes to Gaza; "they elected Hamas, therefore they're complicit in their support".

What Mubarak said does have truth to it. Israel wants Egypt to hold responsibility or a big part of it in regards to Gaza. It wants Egypt to act as sole commercial crossing source. If the siege were to end, by instilling a seaport or airport or both, both Egypt and Israel would have decreased responsibility. The seaport would be controlled by Israel or EU nations, to clear any security concerns. The Dutch have also offered security systems for Israeli borders on Gaza to allow for free flow of imports/exports, which Israel rejected. Israel has no excuse at this point to greatly limit exports/imports or allow Gaza some kind of sovereignty.

I'm with you. An airport would be like a miracle. A seaport should have been considered more than a decade ago, especially if Israel controls it like you said, but would the Palestinians/Hamas agree to that? Seems like a better idea to have an independent entity deal with the security of the port but the problem is who would pay for that if the Palestinians were to be the sole beneficiary? If the Israelis did it they would put a monster tariff on the imported goods, or a painful taxation of some sort. Shame.

It's one thing if they don't want to be responsible for travel, which Egypt can use the Rafah border, but they have 6-7 commercial crossing borders with Gaza, while Egypt has 1, and they need to open that up for maximum flow.

Hamas's new charter has dissolved it's relationship with the MB, I don't think that will fix everything however. Egypt is under lots of pressure from the US to keep the border as it is. Hamas doesn't mind handling control of the borders, but they are not handing all of Gaza to the PA if the the US insists Palestinians have no arms. We are a people and have a right to a military to protect our land. Either the US accepts that right we have, or we procure arms ourselves. We should be allowed to have a military. Anyone that opposes can say goodbye to any legal agreements, they mean nothing if they persist with that condition.

How can anyone disagree with what you just said? I find it interesting how you mention the US as the condition setter.

The obstacles are gargantuan. The Rafah border is really just one (although significant) issue, there are so many other heavy realities to come to terms with. The division between both Palestinian ruling parties is nothing but detrimental to the cause. The West Bank and the settlements is of course, another huge factor. The longer the Palestinian issue takes, the more Israeli settlements will be built while Palestinians will have less living rights in Israel. The territorial separation between the two Palestinian territories presents a logistical nightmare that also plays in Israel's favor. Where else on this earth do you see a country disconnected into two, separate geographical territories? The longer the conflict, the more it plays in Israel's hand and the more unrealistic its demands will be. The challenges are unfortunate and overwhelming.

 

[Falcon29]

We can thank the Israel/Mubarak/Fatah "coalition" for that and not having the ability to sit down and work things out for the common good of the people. The main concern always starts with Israel's security, which then influences the power grab of the other two. If they truly had in mind the interest of the Palestinians living in Gaza, they most certainly could have found a way as you mentioned. But the interest of the people is never primary to these power-clutching mafiosi. It's not even secondary. It comes after a list of 4 or 5 other selfish priorities. That mentality is truly a disgrace.

The security issue is an Israeli diplomatic card they will always play in both Palestinian territories. They used to be in control of Gaza until 12 years ago, and had several thousand settlements in it, and was still playing the security card even then. They eventually decided to leave, but their influence has not left with the siege. I don't know what Israel's end game is with Gaza, but it appears it's trying to make the situation as miserable as possible, until an Arab nation decide to just take in the Palestinians there once it makes unlivable. So really they have a lot to do the situation overall. It appears they still have an interest in reoccupying Gaza in the future.

The border issue is more related to all players here. Before it was under Israeli control, and there was barely any travel in and out of it. If you decided to enter Gaza, you're going to wait from sunrise to sunset just to get in. Getting out is even harder. After 2006 elections, and Hamas taking power there, the PA requested from Egypt to keep it closed, I'm positive the US did as well. Egypt still turned a blind eye to the tunnels under Mubarak. So some people could generate income from that on both sides. Under Morsi, the border was open most of the time, the army was going after tunnels. Most Palestinians were happy with the situation then, they were able to travel somewhat freely. Then the events in Egypt occurred, and it make less a priority. But also Hamas and Sisi ties were underwhelming.

And there in lies the crux of the problem. This will come up a lot when it comes to Gaza; "they elected Hamas, therefore they're complicit in their support".

I honestly don't see why there is dislike from Arab governments toward Hamas. It does not make any sense. I try to make sense out of it but I can't. If they want Hamas to disarm, well that's a problem. Fatah did it long time ago, and they failed to get anything out of it. Disarm= genocide of our people, as far as I am concerned. We are going to lose our land, national identity, and people.

I hate to sound harsh, but anyone asking us to disarm, is doing so to put the final nails on the coffin. We will get no recognition, no state, the Israeli army will pull in, start paving way for more settlements and kill anyone trying to stop that. The international community wants to destroy us, and it's plain obvious. This is why Hamas is popular in Gaza, it acknowledges that and won't agree to any legally binding agreements with Israel orchestrated by the US or whomever. Because it's agreeing to suicide, since these agreements are framed for our suicide. All the international community needs to is present forward documents that we will have an independent state along 1967 borders. Until they don't do that, they are ensuring the genocide of our people.

I'm with you. An airport would be like a miracle. A seaport should have been considered more than a decade ago, especially if Israel controls it like you said, but would the Palestinians/Hamas agree to that? Seems like a better idea to have an independent entity deal with the security of the port but the problem is who would pay for that if the Palestinians were to be the sole beneficiary? If the Israelis did it they would put a monster tariff on the imported goods, or a painful taxation of some sort. Shame.

Hamas put as a condition for a ceasefire a seaport to be built. It was rejected and still is rejected to this day, even though many Israeli ex-politicians and columnists keep urging for that to happen. An airport is less important at this time, and I don't know if there is room for one. It would be funded by donor nations and I'm not sure who would control it or tax goods, so that is a concern as well. I hear it is slated for international control.

How can anyone disagree with what you just said? I find it interesting how you mention the US as the condition setter.

The obstacles are gargantuan. The Rafah border is really just one (although significant) issue, there are so many other heavy realities to come to terms with. The division between both Palestinian ruling parties is nothing but detrimental to the cause. The West Bank and the settlements is of course, another huge factor. The longer the Palestinian issue takes, the more Israeli settlements will be built while Palestinians will have less living rights in Israel. The territorial separation between the two Palestinian territories presents a logistical nightmare that also plays in Israel's favor. Where else on this earth do you see a country disconnected into two, separate geographical territories? The longer the conflict, the more it plays in Israel's hand and the more unrealistic its demands will be. The challenges are unfortunate and overwhelming.

The divisions are really bad, when you want to go forward and make unified political positions. Hamas and Fatah need to sort that out, but there should be no changes with reality on the ground, unless that change is an end to the occupation. That should come before getting control of Gaza back to the PA. Hamas is part of a unity government under PLO, but the US threatened to withdraw funds to the PA if they don't remove them. Nevertheless, they need to figure it out and form something like that again and take it seriously. The lack of political coordination is really bad, Palestinians are very frustrated with that, especially whenever one party(either, or) stall things just for their own interest.

My opinion is that Hamas would not mind PA taking over the whole gov't, we just can't disarm. That condition is a condition only intended to allow Israel free reign in Palestinian territory. Fatah did it and it resulted in 1.5 million plus Jewish settlers in the West Bank, and tens of thousands if not hundreds of settlements.

So the US needs to be serious about enabling independence for Palestinians. And if they want to disarm, they have to guarantee a state on 1967 borders, with Israeli forces totally removed. But, they won't, since they support the Israeli war being conducted against us. And I'm waiting for when the the PA and allied Arab nations will decide that they have to counter this war.

 

[KediKesenFare3]

One of the reasons why some Turks (even religious Sunni classes of Anatolia) disrespect Arabians is the way they treat each other. The Egyptian handling of Gaza is a major issue that undermines the reputation of Arabians in Turkey. If you don't respect your compatriots, don't expect outsiders to respect you.

 

[Gomig-21]

I honestly don't see why there is dislike from Arab governments toward Hamas. It does not make any sense. I try to make sense out of it but I can't. If they want Hamas to disarm, well that's a problem. Fatah did it long time ago, and they failed to get anything out of it. Disarm= genocide of our people, as far as I am concerned. We are going to lose our land, national identity, and people.

I hate to sound harsh, but anyone asking us to disarm, is doing so to put the final nails on the coffin. We will get no recognition, no state...

Probably the biggest obstacle in the division between Hamas and Fatah we spoke of earlier that plays into Israel's hands. How will it ever be possible for the creation of one, Palestinian state with these two opposing and critical conditions? It's not just convincing Israel and the international community of a 2-state solution, but how do you create the Palestinian state when half has already agreed to disarm and the other is vehemently opposed to it and will never agree to it? Putting Gaza aside for a minute, for Israel to agree on a armed and unified Palestinian state means they'd agree on the West Bank having it's own military. What's the likelihood of that happening?

All the international community needs to is present forward documents that we will have an independent state along 1967 borders. Until they don't do that, they are ensuring the genocide of our people.

You recall what Egypt had to do in order to get it's land back to 1967 borders. Not only offer a peace package to the UN that was undoubtedly going to get rejected, and was, but then start a major war and bring the superpowers in to mediate then offer peace and then condition it based on complete withdrawal to 1967 borders. If that's what it took for an already existing and separate nation with it's own government and military and Arab allies and a superpower ally to make that happen, one can't conceivably imagine what it would take for a return to 1967 borders for a Palestinian state.

The lack of political coordination is really bad, Palestinians are very frustrated with that, especially whenever one party(either, or) stall things just for their own interest.

My opinion is that Hamas would not mind PA taking over the whole gov't, we just can't disarm. That condition is a condition only intended to allow Israel free reign in Palestinian territory. Fatah did it and it resulted in 1.5 million plus Jewish settlers in the West Bank, and tens of thousands if not hundreds of settlements.

So the US needs to be serious about enabling independence for Palestinians. And if they want to disarm, they have to guarantee a state on 1967 borders, with Israeli forces totally removed. But, they won't, since they support the Israeli war being conducted against us. And I'm waiting for when the the PA and allied Arab nations will decide that they have to counter this war.

Notwithstanding the importance of an armed Palestinian state, and the fact that as long as the Likud Party governs Israel with the likes of Netanyahu (who has explicitly said that peace and a 2-state solution will only be accepted if the overall security is handled by Israel alone......) which means a disarmed Palestinian state.......what would be the amicable terms for a Palestinian Jerusalem within 1967 borders IYO, considering it's geographically part of the West Bank and was controlled by Jordan pre-1967? Specifically East Jerusalem? That one should be easy considering Israel wants to officially make it its capital and the US wants to move its embassy there. Trump is hardly delusional when he said " peace in the Middle East is not as difficult as people thought".

One of the reasons why some Turks (even religious Sunni classes of Anatolia) disrespect Arabians is the way they treat each other. The Egyptian handling of Gaza is a major issue that undermines the reputation of Arabians in Turkey. If you don't respect your compatriots, don't expect outsiders to respect you.

With all due 'respect', the hypocrisy in that statement is extraordinary, considering Turkey's relationship with Israel. The actions of the Turkish government shouldn't be held against the entire Turkish people, either.

 

[Qutb-ud-din Aybak]

they call themselves Muslims.
Egypt will be destroyed 4 times during next world war. nuaim bin hamad. kitab al fitan