Egypt and Hamas reopen Rafah crossing with Gaza

[Jefferson23]

Less than two weeks after Egypt opened the border crossing with Gaza, Hamas and the Egyptians closed the gateway over the weekend for unspecified reasons.

The Gaza Strip's border crossing with Egypt reopened on Wednesday after a four-day closure caused by a dispute between Cairo and Gaza's Hamas rulers over travel arrangements, officials said.

Witnesses said a bus carrying 60 Palestinians crossed into Egypt from Gaza at the Rafah border point, Gaza's only opening to the outside world. Palestinians waiting to make the same journey cheered when they heard the news.

"It was good news the crossing reopened and I hope things get easier and every passenger will get to his end destination," said Jamal Al-Dahshan, 48, who had been waiting to enter Egypt since Saturday.

To great fanfare, Egypt eased border access on May 28, extending opening hours and scrapping visa requirements for many Palestinians.

Egyptian protesters who toppled President Hosni Mubarak in an uprising earlier this year have pressed the country's interim rulers to improve relations with the Palestinians.

in full: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/egypt-and-hamas-reopen-rafah-crossing-with-gaza-1.366617

[King_David]

1. Good