Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., August 31, 2008 Av 30, 5768 | | Israel Time: 04:47 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 20:45 30/08/2008
Egypt opens sealed Gaza crossing as goodwill gesture before Ramadan
By The Associated Press
Tags: Gaza Strip, Hamas, Egypt 

Palestinian officials say Egypt has opened its border crossing with the Gaza Strip, allowing hundreds of people to enter and leave the coastal territory.

Egypt has opened the Rafah crossing for two days beginning Saturday.

Thousands of Egyptian citizens had been stuck in Gaza with the border sealed. Egypt closed the crossing last year after militant Muslim group Hamas seized power of the territory.
Advertisement
Palestinian officials say they believe Egypt is opening the crossing as a goodwill gesture before the holy Muslim month of Ramadan which begins next week.

Officials will allow hundreds of Palestinians needing medical treatment to enter Egypt. Palestinians with foreign residency permits can also leave Gaza, while Palestinians who had been stuck in Egypt will be able to return home.

Hamas' interior ministry, eager to demonstrate its ability to control security on the Gaza side of the crossing, did not allow residents to approach the southern passageway on Saturday morning. Palestinians have traditionally crushed at the border crossing, causing chaos while jostling to get to the top of lines to leave Gaza.

People eligible to enter Egypt were told to gather in the southern town of Khan Younis at dawn, where their applications were processed. At least four buses crossed through to the Egyptian side where hundreds of police crowded to ensure security.

Egypt said it opened the crossing as a goodwill gesture for the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which begins next week.

"We thank [Egyptian] President Hosni Mubarak for opening the crossing today, and we hope it the opening days will be extended," said Gaza Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, in a statement to the press.

Over Saturday and Sunday, Egypt will allow Palestinian students enrolled in universities abroad to leave Gaza, along with those with foreign residencies and work visas.

Around 300 Egyptians stuck in Gaza after they entered the territory after Hamas gunmen breached the border in January. They have been unable to return home for months. Some 400 Palestinians needing medical treatment will also head to Egypt on Sunday, officials said.

Arab force for Gaza may help stop violence

Meanwhile Saturday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that the presence of an Arab force in the Gaza Strip could help stop violence there, and the idea should be taken seriously, Egypt's state news agency MENA reported.

However, Aboul Gheit, whose country is sponsoring unity talks between rival Palestinian factions, stopped short of directly calling for such a force in the Hamas-controlled territory.

"The presence of Arab forces on the ground can help in preventing the fighting and stopping the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Aboul Gheit told Egypt's October magazine, according to excerpts that ran on MENA ahead of the magazine interview, due to be published Sunday.

"The matter has not been studied yet, but it is an attractive idea that deserves to be taken seriously when we consider that Egypt and the Arab League may play a role in this matter," he added.

Aboul Gheit said the issue of an Arab force for Gaza would only be brought up in Palestinian talks after Palestinians achieved unity and following "appropriate study."

Representatives of rival Palestinian groups have been meeting in Cairo in recent days seeking reconciliation, but officials familiar with the talks said agreement looked unlikely.

Related articles:
  • Egypt sends 500 riot police to border with Gaza Strip
  • Egypt closes dozens of tunnels used by Gaza smugglers
  • Israel to reopen Gaza crossings, let in Palestinians for medical care
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    World War III
    A top Iranian general says an attack on Tehran would ignite a 'world war'.
    Raising the price
    Hamas says won't compromise, Israel must free 1,000 prisoners for Shalit.
      1.   A huge miracle should happen there! 22:52  |  Akiva P 30/08/08
      2.   Akiva, you`re a fine one to talk..... 03:29  |  David James Vickery 31/08/08
     Read & React
    Republican Jews: Choice of Palin as VP shows McCain's good judgment
    Responses: 358
    Report: New Hezbollah missiles have range 'Israel can't fathom'
    Responses: 153
    Obama: You can't protect Israel by talking tough in Washington
    Responses: 143
    Jonathan Spyer: Fatah never gave up dream of one-state solution
    Responses: 136
    Jews visit demolished W. Bank settlement for 1st time since pullout
    Responses: 81


    More Headlines
    04:26 Olmert to press Abbas to accept framework for two-state solution
    16:09 Top Iran general says attack on Tehran would ignite 'world war'
    20:53 Jewish Democrats: Palin is out of step with Jewish public opinion
    02:52 Hamas lays pipeline to supply Gaza Strip with fuel from Egypt
    13:57 ADL slams Shell, Austrian energy giant for taking part in Iran conference
    02:21 ANALYSIS / A giant failure called Afghanistan
    02:36 Openly bisexual Jewish-American basketball player tries out for Maccabi Haifa
    03:49 This Hyphenated Life post four / The capital of the Jewish World
    20:52 Hamas to Israel: We won't compromise, we want 1,000 prisoners for Shalit
    04:04 Where have all the elementary school dropouts gone?
    22:31 Husband of woman suspected of drowning son says she suffered from depression
    21:20 Nigerian group demands $12m ransom for kidnapped Israeli
    14:39 'Free Gaza' blockade-busting boats planning a second voyage
    03:51 Palestinians remain persecuted minority in post-Saddam Iraq
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    MBA in Israel in English
    APPLY NOW! Limited spaces available
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
    Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved