World

After 4 Years, Egypt Reopens Border With Gaza

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Egypt lifted a 4-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip on Saturday, greatly easing travel restrictions on the 1.5 million residents of the Palestinian territory in a move that bolstered the Hamas government while dealing a setback to Israel’s attempts to isolate the militant group.

The sense of relief was palpable as buses piled high with luggage crossed the Rafah border terminal and hundreds of people traveled abroad for overdue medical appointments, business dealings and family affairs. In Israel, fears were heightened that militants and weapons will soon pour into the territory.

“I was so happy to hear that the Egyptian border is opening so I can finally travel for treatment,” said Mohammad Zoarob, a 66-year-old suffering from chronic kidney disease.

He said he had been waiting for a medical permit from the Palestinian health ministry for five years so he could go to Egypt for treatment. When Palestinian officials coincidentally approved the permit on Saturday, he kissed his family goodbye, rushed to the border and was quickly whisked across.

“They put me in an ambulance and in five minutes I reached the Egyptian side of the crossing,” he said.

Saturday’s expansion of the Rafah crossing was a tangible benefit of the popular unrest sweeping through the Arab world. The blockade, which has fueled an economic crisis in Gaza, is deeply unpopular among Arabs, and Egypt’s caretaker leaders had promised to end it since the ouster of longtime President Hosni Mubarak in February.

Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after the Islamic militant Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007. The closure aimed to weaken Hamas. But the Iranian-backed group remains firmly in power, operating the border crossing even at a time when it is supposed to be reconciling with the rival Fatah movement.

Until Saturday, the Rafah border terminal had functioned at a limited capacity. Only certain classes of people, such as students, businessmen or medical patients, were eligible to travel and the crossing was often subject to closures, leading to huge backlogs that forced people to wait for months.

Under the new system, virtually anyone can travel, and a much larger number of Palestinians are expected to be able to cross each day.

Hundreds of Gazans gathered early Saturday as the first bus load of passengers crossed the border at 9 a.m. Two Egyptian officers stood guard next to a large Egyptian flag atop the border gate as the vehicle rumbled through. One after another buses crossed Rafah, pulling blue carts behind them with luggage piled high.

“All we need is to travel like humans, be treated with dignity and feel like any other citizens of the world who can travel in and out freely,” said Rami Arafat, 52, who hoped to catch a flight out of Cairo on Sunday to attend his daughter’s wedding in Algeria.

Nearby, 28-year-old Khaled Halaweh said he was headed to Egypt to study for a master’s degree in engineering at Alexandria University.

“The closure did not affect only the travel of passengers or the flowing of goods. Our brains and our thoughts were under blockade,” said Halaweh, who said he hadn’t been out of Gaza for seven years.

Inside the border terminal Saturday, the atmosphere was orderly, as Hamas police called passengers one by one to register their travel documents.

By the close of operation at 5 p.m., 410 people had crossed into Egypt, said Salama Baraka, head of police at the Rafah terminal, well above the daily average of about 300 in recent months.

Thirty-nine were turned back because they did not have the proper visas or travel documents, Baraka said. Israeli media quoted Egyptian officials as saying some were also on Egyptian “terror lists.” In the past, Egypt had rejected passengers found to be on “blacklists.” An additional 150 people crossed from Egypt into Gaza.

Officials hope to raise the daily number of travelers to 1,000, greatly reducing the wait time to leave. Baraka said ten thousand people are registered to travel between June and August 25.

“Today is a cornerstone for a new era that we hope will pave the road to ending the siege and blockade on Gaza,” said Hatem Awideh, director general of the Hamas border authority in Gaza. “We hope this facilitation by our Egyptian brothers will improve travel and will allow everyone to leave Gaza.”

About 100 Hamas supporters marched with Palestinian and Egyptian flags outside the border terminal in a gesture of gratitude to Egypt.

“This courageous step by Egypt reflects the deep historic relations between the Palestinian and Egyptian nations,” said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zahri.

The new seven-day-a-week opening will not resolve Gazans’ travel woes completely, though.

Men between the ages of 18 and 40 still will have to obtain Egyptian visas, a process that can take months. Women, children and older men must get travel permits, which can be obtained in several days.

Israel, which controls Gaza’s cargo crossings, allows most consumer goods into Gaza, but still restricts exports as well as the entry of much-needed construction materials, saying they could be used by militants. Israel also enforces a naval blockade aimed at weapons smuggling.

Israeli and American officials have expressed concerns that Hamas will exploit the opening to bring weapons and fighters into Gaza. In January 2008, masked militants blew open the Rafah border wall, allowing thousands of people to pour in and out of Egypt.

Egyptian officials say they have security measures in place to keep weapons from crossing through Rafah.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said the Rafah opening puts “additional responsibility on the Egyptians about what happens in Gaza.”

“Both Israel and Egypt have mutual interests against global Jihad terror and against Hamas terror and I expect that cooperation will continue for the benefit of both sides,” Ayalon said on Channel 10 TV.

Opposition lawmaker Nachman Shai blamed the Israeli government for failing to prevent the opening of Rafah. Israeli officials had lobbied Egypt to leave the restrictions in place.

“Mubarak is gone, there is a new government and we already see how Israel-Egypt relations are substantially deteriorating,” he said. “A significant security breach was created today under our noses.

Hamas has long used tunnels to get arms into Gaza. Gaza militants now have military-grade rockets that have hit cities in southern Israel. Israeli military officials believe that Iranian experts are already in Gaza training Hamas. The fear is that it will now become even easier for them to get into the territory.

“One trainer who tells them how to set up the rockets and how to use them is equal to a large quantity of weapons,” Amos Gilad, a senior Israeli Defense Ministry official who works closely with Egypt, told Channel 2 TV.

The border opening comes on the heels of an Egyptian-mediated unity deal between the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah.

Hamas has governed Gaza since routing Fatah forces in 2007, leaving the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority in control only of the West Bank.

Earlier this month, the sides signed a reconciliation deal in Cairo. But details are still being worked out, and Hamas will be in charge of the Palestinian side of Rafah.

Both Egypt and Fatah officials played down any significance, describing the expanded operations of Rafah a victory for all Palestinians. Nabil Shaath, a senior Fatah official, said he considered the border opening a fruit of the unity deal.

Comments (67)

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  • QuranisBookofDeath
    Posted on May 29, 2011 at 12:20am

    When you cross Egypt‘s Muslim Brotherhood with Gaza’s Hamas you get a DOUBLE HEADED NAZI PARTY OF GLOBAL SUPREMACIST HATE.

    Islam: it’s for the dead

    Report Post » QuranisBookofDeath  
  • Support Herman Cain
    Posted on May 29, 2011 at 12:11am

    This is a time that we need a president that will defend Israel. Herman Cain is that man. http://www.supporthermancain.com

    Report Post » Support Herman Cain  
    • Mimi24
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:04pm

      I agree with you but I think Obama has ruined his chance for election for some time.

      Report Post »  
  • SacKings2312
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 10:08pm

    Free Palestine!!!

    http://www.ifamericansknew.org/

    http://www.jewsagainstzionism.com/zionism/history.cfm

    http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/EMPIRE17.swf

    Report Post » SacKings2312  
  • ED4237
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 9:38pm

    Now that the border is open Israel needs to line up tanks,bulldoziers,and infantry personel and move all the 1.5 million into Egypt. Make them move and then close the border move as many Jewish people back into the Gaza strip and take control. That is the smart play but one that will draw huge amounts of critism from the left lovin terrorist at the UN. It will make Israel safer because they will not be safe for long Hamas will start up in the south then Hezbulla will start up in the north. Things are going to get crazy soon look out.

    Report Post »  
  • sportstutters
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 9:11pm

    So finally it begins. Obama’s precious arab spring may lead to a nuclear winter! God’s will be done.

    Report Post »  
  • oh_yeah
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 9:01pm

    Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. To the Father in Jesus Name. Amen.

    Report Post »  
  • let us prey
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:53pm

    Now they can freely arm them now.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:46pm

    As mentioned in the article, on January 23, 2008 the Rafah border was breached, and the people of Gaza were handed money by Hamas. They spent hundreds of millions of dollars. Later it was revealed that over 90% of that money was conterfeit. Islamic fudamentalist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Muslin Brotherhood know how to terrorize, but don’t know how to govern.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • Lost Shaker Assault
      Posted on May 29, 2011 at 4:44am

      Remember when Arafat was offered land-for-peace? The real reason they rejected it was because the Pals were incapable of governing. Arabs can not do anything right except blow up.

      Report Post » Lost Shaker Assault  
  • TEARS FOR AMERICA
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:46pm

    It did not take too much in the brain matter to know that when fell, Israel would be in deep dookie…we will see more terrorism than ever. God help us and God help Israel.

    Report Post » TEARS FOR AMERICA  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:18pm

    It’s only a matter of time before Israel is surrounded. I think Iran still has its frigate in Syria.
    http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/24/iranian-warships-dock-syria/

    Report Post »  
  • King David
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:09pm

    No need for a flotilla ?

    Report Post »  
  • Its Gonna Getcha
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 7:57pm

    Is history breaking free yet?

    Report Post » Its Gonna Getcha  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 7:51pm

    Oh joy!!! So how many days/weeks before an escalation in rocket attacks against Israel?

    Or will they wait for a few weeks, coordinate with Syria and then do a combined attack…

    I’ll tell you this much, Israel must be thanking God in heaven that Pres. Bush invaded Iraq and Saddam Hussein is dead for it… because if Iraq was still the way it was back before 2003, Saddam would be moving Scud Launchers into position right now and coordinating with Syria and Hamas against Israel.

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • trooper
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 7:46pm

    obama’s dream come true, we are looking down the barrel of a gun at this junction in time. Glenn said it would happen and now it comes to fuition. Gless Beck 100% is spot on!

    Report Post »  
    • capitalismrocks
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 7:54pm

      Why do you think the liberals skin crawls when it comes to Glenn… he exposes them with so much accuracy almost every time… they can’t stand that he knows and broadcasts their every move…

      What Glenn needs to do now is to expand this, get 5-10 people working with his research team and being additional voices to go out and further spread this information into newsprint, magazine articles, facebook pages, twitter accounts, youtube pages and more… One GB drives the liberals crazy…

      Have 10 or more GB‘s out there in all avenue’s, they’ll have blood vessels bursting from their skulls to see such a sight!!!

      Attack of the GB Clones!!!

      Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • twistin
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 7:39pm

    War is Coming.

    Report Post »  
  • quicker
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 7:12pm

    The Isreallys need to put in a pig crossing

    Report Post » quicker  
  • bestartist
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:49pm

    Oh PLEASE!
    FYI to the palestinian chronic kidney ailment sufferer….until the Palestinian Authority halted the ability of palestinians to go to Israeli hospitals. the Israeli doctors & nurses treated everyone, regardless!

    JERUSALEM — Pediatric oncologist Michael Weintraub of Hadassah Hospital recently found himself in the unenviable position of turning away ailing Palestinian children after the Palestinian Authority decided to halt payment for their treatment.

    Citing anger over the war in Gaza and health-care costs, the Palestinian Authority stopped funding treatment for the majority of Palestinians in Israeli hospitals as of Feb. 1, abruptly cutting off what in some cases is literally a lifeline.

    “People could die in the next few weeks if they do not receive proper treatment,” said Weintraub, director of pediatric hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplantation at Hadassah. “Patients were denied coverage from one day to the next. If you stop cancer therapy for a month or two, the risk of relapse and death increases every day.”

    The hospital stays were among the only humanitarian connections that had managed to survive the divisions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    For many years, a significant number of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza have come to Israeli hospitals for medical care, often for sophisticated tests or life-saving treatments not available at Palestinian hospitals, such as bone marrow transplants or robotic surgery.

    Report Post » bestartist  
    • momprayn
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:32pm

      Yes, too many here in America understand the true situation with Israel — the little stuff they do hear is usually from the libs who hate them & distort the truth and always make them look like the “evil” ones when nothing could be further from the truth. Many don’t realize how much Israel contributes to the world of Medicine — they’re great and are responsible for new & effective drugs, medical procedures, etc. So much they do that would benefit the world. Oh well…thank God for Glenn & others that are trying to get the truth out…..all that do that and help israel will be blessed but I’m afraid we are in for dire times in the very near future.

      Report Post »  
  • geonj
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:46pm

    once again wIsrael is at a higher level of danger.

    Report Post » geonj  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:34pm

    The savages have another entry point and can continue their assault on Israel.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Welcome Black Carter
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:34pm

      What Israel should do when the rockets start flying is for every rocket, respond with bombs leveling the first 1/2 mile on the north side and then take it. Start building on it. About five miles of that and no more rockets coming into Israel…

      Report Post » Welcome Black Carter  
  • jim
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:34pm

    “Who let the dogs out… woof… woof…” (Now, I want to formally apologize for the preceding statement. It’s the lowest of low points for me.) One mo’ time: “Who let the dogs out… woof… woof…”

    Report Post » jim  
  • Professional Infidel
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:32pm

    life or death? not life and bonga both!!. OK death by bonga.!!

    Report Post »  
  • jacobstroubles
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:24pm

    Finally, now we can get on with what is to come!
    Maranatha

    Report Post »  
  • Creestof
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:23pm

    We knew this from 100 other news sources 2-3 days ago…long coffee break?

    Report Post »  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:05pm

      I reread some of your thoughts. I agree to a certain extent. The key to solving that problem, like you say, being responsible so as to not be a burden. Just wanted to let you know I have given it more thought. I agree, it’s a real problem and will only get worse. Sorry it’s so off topic. :)

      Always the critic aren’t we? This isn’t a news outlet. It’s more geared towards comments. I saw it two days ago also.

      Report Post »  
    • Creestof
      Posted on May 29, 2011 at 4:37am

      Hiya’s Captain! Not reallt being critical…but I check my e-mail a lot and my Roadrunner.com home page has about 50% of the “Blazes” stories 12-24 hours before them. I also go to TMZ.com for the latest celebrity gossip…not that I care about it…I just enjoy getting the Fanboi’s there all worked up…and they always have the same celebrity stories you find at the Blaze a few hours earlier than them.

      No big deal at all…just makes me wonder what kind of research staff GB has. I can surf and copy/paste with the best of them…maybe I can get hired?

      Report Post »  
  • quicker
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:23pm

    Oh Lord ,please protect your childern.Looks like another way for them to get wopons in.Ya Obama you did this right not.Oh and CODE pink make sure you`re over there.See how long you keep you heads.Of corce they just stone you.

    Report Post » quicker  
  • EQUALIZER
    Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:21pm

    Here come all the cockroaches!!!

    Report Post »  
    • Professional Infidel
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:30pm

      launching rocket into, is reason to keep them out, kill there leaders. let the survivors take it up with the army. it’s like the do nothing palistinians, against the producers the jews. all they got is 67 borders mentality when there leaders lost it for them. what about those apples.

      Report Post »  
    • nacilbuper
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:40pm

      We are in the end of days. Get right with God, please.

      Report Post » nacilbuper  
    • Eric_The_Red_State
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:48pm

      The SHEET is about to hit the FAN over there….. and then – in turn – over here.

      Time to buy duct tape and visqueen.

      Here comes a Peace Loving Culture out to kill you.

      Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:52pm

      Now we shall see how long until the Gaza strip becomes a fully, and openly armed camp for the forces against Israel to commense their assaults.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 6:57pm

      By the close of operation at 5 p.m., 410 people had crossed into Egypt…

      350 of them will be fitted for suicide vests….

      Report Post »  
    • OlefromMN
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 7:29pm

      What could possibly go wrong? Welcome to the “new world”.

      Buckle up, it’s bound to be bumpy!

      Report Post » OlefromMN  
    • Jediusetheforce
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 7:36pm

      Obama is to blame!!! Overthrown obamama and his cockroaches!!!!! Now is the time to take up arms or be silent and cursed. Now I know why the German people did not stand up to Hitler. Its amazing how history repeats itself. The only thing America is doing is talking. No action will receive Zero results.

      Appeal to Heaven!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • V-Forge
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:56pm

      I stand with the jewish people. I Say it’s high time to remind people that real war is sick, twisted, and something to avoid. Give them their fight and this time kill them. The hammas followers have left humanity. They choose brutality and death over peace so i say give it to them.

      Report Post » V-Forge  
    • JustaThought
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 9:01pm

      There’s more to this story. On the DEBKA website (excellent site on Israeli “political analysis, espionage, terrorism, security) sources report that along with this decision, “DEBKAfile‘s Cairo sources report that Egypt’s Oil Minister Abdallah Ghorab is taking advice from the ministry’s legal advisers on ways to break the 2009 contract on order to halt gas deliveries to Israel.”
      See here: http://www.debka.com/article/20979/

      Report Post »  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 9:25pm

      Grenade Launchers to the right, Suicide Bombers straight ahead, Rocket Launchers to the left, everyone else blend in. Remember the Alamo!

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • jackrorabbit
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 11:12pm

      Sadly, Israel did this to themselves when they gave back the “desert” area between them and the Suez canal that they won in the 1967 war. The more they give back, the more will be demanded, and eventually they will be attacked.

      Report Post »  
    • theonefromabove
      Posted on May 29, 2011 at 12:56am

      Glad to see progress.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on May 29, 2011 at 6:11am

      Here we go again with a new infestation for Israel to clean out.

      Report Post »  
    • ginsberg
      Posted on May 29, 2011 at 6:14am

      Snowleopard keeping gaza blockaded only strengthens hamas and the black market for weapons. and keep up the end of days babble blazers, it is priceless comedy. Here is an idea, try being a part of the world instead of waiting to leave it.

      Report Post »  
    • starman70
      Posted on May 29, 2011 at 11:15am

      Here comes the unfettered supply of rifles, ammo, artillery, bombs, homocide bomb making supplies and all other forms of arms for the cockroaches who call themselves “Palestinians”.

      GOD will protect his people. How I don’t know but he will.

      Report Post »  
    • Contrarian51
      Posted on May 29, 2011 at 1:01pm

      So, Ginsberg, is it your position that opening the border will make it tougher for Hamas to obtain rockets and explosives, and is it your position that Hamas is the entity trying to be “part of the world” by vowing to eliminate Israel and Judaism from said world?

      Let’s understand something. Hamas and the Palestinians couldn’t care less about establishing a Palestinian state. Their goal is eliminating the Jewish one.

      Report Post »  
    • We Are Not Alone
      Posted on May 29, 2011 at 1:39pm

      Happy Memorial Day to all…. have a blessed weekend…. stay safe

      If you don’t want more of this from the current president – VOTE REPUBLICAN 2012

      “On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes — and I see many of them in the audience here today — our sense of patriotism is particularly strong.”

      Report Post » Want our country back  
    • BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:40am

      All the more easier to ship weapons from Obama’s record sale to the Saudis over to the Philistines. Here’s a song about all that.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqdufoUASMc

      Report Post » BJColter Country Music Iconoclast  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 2:25pm

      An d every one of them is carrying a RPG or some other weapon to be used on Israel.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
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