Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., January 06, 2008 Tevet 28, 5768 | | Israel Time: 23:23 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Magazine

Palestinian pilgrims arriving in Gaza from the Rafah crossing on Wednesday. (Reuters) Last update - 22:10 02/01/2008 Hamas thanks Egypt for ensuring return of Palestinian pilgrims By The Associated Press Tags: Palestinians, Egypt, Hamas  Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday thanked Cairo for ensuring the return of hundreds of Palestinians to the Gaza Strip, ending a five-day standoff that left them stranded in Egypt after following an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. About 2,200 Palestinians began pouring into Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing earlier Wednesday. Egypt's decision to let the pilgrims back through Rafah, a terminal on its border with Gaza, drew a rebuke from Israel which has been trying to choke off Hamas while reviving peace talks with the Islamist group's rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Advertisement An aide to Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who met Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak last week, said the sides had agreed the pilgrims would enter Gaza through Israel's Kerem Shalom terminal and be vetted by security agents. "What has happened in Rafah is in contravention of our agreements," the aide told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Public Security Minister Avi Dichter told Israel's Channel 10 television that the on Wednesday, "I think that on this matter it is very important for Israel to insist -- and stand firm on its right to do so -- that the border between Egypt-Sinai and the Strip be closed and that neither terrorists nor weapons get through." "To me this looks like a trivial matter (to achieve). Regrettably, it's not trivial from the Egyptians' viewpoint," he said. Hamiyeh said Wednesday that Saudi Arabia had also helped ensure the pilgrims' return "in dignity". Hamas television hailed it as a "victory". "Thank God we have carried out our religious duties and returned to Gaza," said pilgrim Abu Mohammad after crossing back into Gaza. Performing the hajj is a religious obligation for all Muslims who are physically able to do so. Among those coming through Rafah were former Fatah-linked security officers who fled Gaza during Hamas's takeover. Fatah sources and witnesses said Hamas detained at least 15 of the Fatah men. Hamas sources put the number at nine. Two people, including one traveler holding a large cloth bag, were the first to pass through the Rafah terminal, greeted by green-vested representatives of Hamas, the Islamic group that rules Gaza. The two were followed by a flood of returning pilgrims walking across the border. The pilgrims left Gaza last month to make a religious pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. They became trapped in Egypt on their way home last weekend when the Egyptian government said they would have to cross through Kerem Shalom, an Israel Defense Forces-controlled crossing, instead of going directly into Gaza through the Rafah terminal. Israel, which considers Hamas a terrorist group, fears that some of the travelers are carrying large sums of money for Gaza's Hamas rulers. Fearing capture by the Israelis, Hamas leaders among the pilgrims refused to go through the alternate crossing. The pilgrims rioted in temporary camps set up for them by Egypt and have threatened a hunger strike. Estimates originally put the number of pilgrims at 3,000, but Egyptian security officials said Wednesday that 2,152 were slated to return to Gaza. Egyptian official: Israel was informed of decision An Egyptian official said Wednesday that Israel had been informed of the Egyptian decision to let the pilgrims back. But Israeli defense officials said Israel hadn't approved their return and that Egypt's decision to let them back into Gaza contradicts understandings between Israel and Egypt. Officials in the foreign ministry said they had not been informed about Egypt's decision. Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas lawmaker who came to the crossing to greet the returning pilgrims, praised Egypt earlier Wednesday for its decision. "This is a humanitarian case since the start. Egypt's position was laudable. We thank Egypt," al-Masri said. The pilgrims' return seemed likely to inflame tensions between Israel and Egypt. The two states signed a peace deal in 1979, but friction between them have been on the rise recently because of Israeli concerns that Egypt isn't doing enough to stop Palestinian arms smuggling into Gaza. In a spat between the countries last week, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Egypt was doing a terrible job of securing the border. In an angry response, Egypt's foreign ministry said she should not speak randomly about issues she should not be dealing with if she is not fully aware of the situation. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit warned Monday that Egypt would retaliate diplomatically. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, apparently trying to contain the damage, said in a published interview Monday that he valued Egypt's friendship and prays for the health of President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt has kept Rafah closed since Hamas violently seized control of Gaza last June. It agreed to make an exception and open the crossing to allow the pilgrims to go on the pilgrimage to Mecca last month. That move also drew Israeli objections. Israel has been blockading Gaza since Hamas, which openly calls for Israel's destruction, came to power there in June. Related articles: Palestinian pilgrims in Egypt threaten hunger strike over Gaza return Hamas: Egypt agrees to allow Gazan pilgrims to return through Rafah IDF: Palestinian pilgrim killed at Erez crossing shot by our troops Bookmark to del.icio.us   Virtual victory TV series offers detailed reenactments of IAF's battles. Surviving the race Neither Clinton nor Romney can afford to lose in New Hampshire.   1.   As you should have done in the first place 14:05  |  David James Vickery 02/01/08   2.   Egypt should have done a week ago 14:39  |  Egyptian 02/01/08   3.   Egypt is a gift 14:50  |  ryan 02/01/08   4.   YES!!! 14:56  |  muslim 02/01/08   5.   Palestinians: victims of the greatest injustice in history 15:10  |  nobodysacred 02/01/08   6.   How wrong! 15:12  |  Hassan 02/01/08   7.   #2 15:13  |  Michael 02/01/08   8.   At last,egypt is not hanging on to the coat tails of israel! 15:20  |  lakshmi 02/01/08   9.   Egyptian citizen shows why you can`t trust peace agreements with 15:54  |  trembling palestine 02/01/08   10.   nobody sacred? 15:56  |  Jeroen de Jager 02/01/08   11.   the only reason Cairo survived 1973 is because 15:59  |  dust in the scale 02/01/08   12.   Egypt: the weak healer that make stinking sores 16:02  |  Jeroen de Jager 02/01/08   13.   If Egypt is a gift can I get a refund 16:42  |  late shopper 02/01/08   14.   Hassan: Egypt is famous for its mythology 16:44  |  stinktoe 02/01/08   15.   dust on the brain#11 16:47  |  brain duster 02/01/08   16.   An Interesting Dilemma 16:54  |  Mark of Lewiston 02/01/08   17.   Jeroen de Jager - Dutch? 16:58  |  Mark of Lewiston 02/01/08   18.   Haaretz: please don`t slant it 17:09  |  1 state 02/01/08   19.   #18 Hear, hear 17:32  |  Outsider 02/01/08   20.   18Lier, When did Hamas offer PEACE? Read its Charter! 17:44  |  I 02/01/08   21.   This was done despite agreements between Israel and 17:45  |  Eli 02/01/08   22.   Dream on Hassan! 17:48  |  `73 vet 02/01/08   23.   Egypt needs to tell Israel to sod off. 17:59  |  mrmcghoo 02/01/08   24.   To 5 -Historical Palestine! 18:00  |  Vital 02/01/08   25.   when mubarak loses his US welfare as zion demands 18:00  |  muslim 02/01/08   26.   Truce (Really?) 18:00  |  Barry 02/01/08   27.   22. oh pleeeeeeeze vet`73 18:03  |  muslim 02/01/08   28.   An example of the word compromise in arab language 18:09  |  Alain 02/01/08   29.   To #27 18:25  |  Oleg 02/01/08   30.   29. oleg lying for zion 18:40  |  muslim 02/01/08   31.   Nobody sacred 18:41  |  Avrum 02/01/08   32.   29. proof in the putting olega 18:44  |  muslim 02/01/08   33.   re#18 Challengig 1 state !!!!!!!!!!!! 18:46  |  Alberto Cohen 02/01/08   34.   re#18 Challengig 1 state !!!!!!!!!!!! 18:47  |  Alberto Cohen 02/01/08   35.   re#18 Challengig 1 state !!!!!!!!!!!! 18:47  |  Alberto Cohen 02/01/08   36.   oh come on! 18:47  |  samuel 02/01/08   37.   CONGRATULATIONS TO PALESTINIANS PILGRIMS ... 18:50  |  TrippleJump 02/01/08   38.   Another "small cheating" (tosesta definition) by Egypt !!! 18:54  |  Alberto Cohen 02/01/08   39.   33. Alberto the self styled Cohen 19:03  |  muslim 02/01/08   40.   36. sammy boy 19:05  |  muslim 02/01/08   41.   For the sake of real peace, Israel must not interfere 19:12  |  Abu Samra 02/01/08   42.   the palastinians are who exactly? 19:16  |  Nick 02/01/08   43.   #5 Nobody sacred 19:18  |  Angus 02/01/08   44.   To Mr. Muslim 19:19  |  Oleg 02/01/08   45.   #36..muslim 19:20  |  sammy boy 02/01/08   46.   Palestinian pilgrims return to Gaza,ending five .. 19:23  |  Sam Popack 02/01/08   47.   To # 5. Nobodysacred, The rights of Israel exist 19:31  |  Altalena 02/01/08   48.   44. Oli the refugee from IDF draft safe in NYC 19:31  |  muslim 02/01/08   49.   45. sammy knows where i live? 19:33  |  muslim 02/01/08   50.   palastinaian tolerence 19:35  |  ariel 02/01/08   51.   Hamas thanks Egypt for return of Palestinian pilgrims 19:38  |  Mubarak 02/01/08   52.   On orders from Tehran... 19:40  |  Fortuna Benmayor 02/01/08   53.   re#39 answering "muslim" 19:41  |  Alberto Cohen 02/01/08   54.   #14 - Stinktoe`s Version of Mythology 19:44  |  DoubleClick 02/01/08   55.   Egypt 19:45  |  ilaetzter 02/01/08   56.   # 49 Muslim 19:46  |  Sammy Boy 02/01/08   57.   Paper agreements are worthless 19:47  |  B 02/01/08   58.   #18 One Jewish State 19:50  |  Tippol Aleihem 02/01/08   59.   David James Vickery: Why do you hide your new name, Dhoud? 19:54  |  Vittorio 02/01/08   60.   Yet Another Example of Worthlessness of Treaties 20:01  |  Straight Talk 02/01/08   61.   Victory is in the hands of our prophet, the teddy bear 20:01  |  muslim 02/01/08   62.   What do you expect from a Muslim nation? 20:05  |  Denton 02/01/08   63.   did you know? 20:12  |  sammy boy 02/01/08   64.   Palestinians simply can`t win 20:13  |  Paul Wood 02/01/08   65.   # 6 Hassan...then Sadat was the only intelligent 20:16  |  Lynn 02/01/08   66.   i am not in the least concerned 20:20  |  harzion 02/01/08   67.   who was it who said israel is responsible for gaza 20:23  |  harzion 02/01/08   68.   egypt has supplied many tons of arms and explosives to the 20:26  |  harzion 02/01/08   69.   Hamas thanks Egypt for ensuring return of Palestinian pilgrims 20:29  |  Joe 02/01/08   70.   67. harzion: as long as rafah crossing stays open i agree 20:31  |  muslim 02/01/08   71.   Lakshimi 20:55  |  Judith 02/01/08   72.   GAZA IS THEREFORE NO LONGER OCCUPIED 20:58  |  judith 02/01/08   73.   muslim 21:01  |  izzy 02/01/08   74.   Thank you Egypt!Now take care of Gaza Food,Utilities,Health needs 21:02  |  Genuine Tosefta 02/01/08   75.   Egypt returns pilgrims: Barak your face 21:03  |  Gary Pineda 02/01/08   76.   It is time Congress in Washingtn, it is time the EU countries, it 21:09  |  Petra 02/01/08   77.   #71 Lakshimi 21:10  |  Yuri 02/01/08   78.   #72 21:12  |  Yuri 02/01/08   79.   Taqqiyah anyone ? 21:12  |  alfredo 02/01/08   80.   79. to alfredo the scholor of islam? hebrew its called Kol Nidr 21:19  |  muslim 02/01/08   81.   To Alfredo # 79 21:35  |  Fortuna Benmayor 02/01/08   82.   Thanks Eggwiped! 21:37  |  tadchase 02/01/08   83.   Alfredo, I like Tequila better! LOL 21:38  |  Oleg 02/01/08   84.   Thank you Egypt! Now you will be also held responsible 21:40  |  Genuine Tosefta 02/01/08   85.   To 78. Yuri : Learning is needed ! 21:42  |  Altalena 02/01/08   86.   No thanks to Israel from Hamas for allowing its members Hajj 21:49  |  Genuine Tosefta 02/01/08   87.   #49 Mooselem - You still don`t say where you`re hiding 21:55  |  * BEN JABO 02/01/08   88.   Well, obviously Ehud "Shish Kebab" Barak did not 21:58  |  Andreas 02/01/08   89.   Israel has no legal standing 22:02  |  Pete 02/01/08   90.   79 Fetuccini Alfredo, 83 Oleg 22:11  |  tadchase 02/01/08   91.   Next Year 22:37  |  Edifice 02/01/08   92.   Understandable Israeli outrage 23:03  |  Colin Wright 02/01/08   93.   Consider the alternative 23:11  |  Karam 02/01/08   94.   ALL MUST WORK FOR PEACE & Address Each Other`s VALID Needs! 23:11  |  Proud Pal Defender 02/01/08   95.   Human resourcefulness and inner Peace. 23:18  |  Maureen Ann 02/01/08   96.   Haaretz puts head in the sand, again. 23:21  |  Gilad 02/01/08   97.   SHAME ON YOU EGYPT! Give Border Control To INTERNATIONAL Forces. 23:31  |  Proud Pal Defender 02/01/08   98.   86. Tosefta fake: yes thanks for spray of bullets on returning 23:33  |  muslim 02/01/08   99.   Brain Duster: You`re so right I am so sorry 23:45  |  dusted brain 02/01/08   100.   Conspiracy theory regarding Slowman 00:04  |  Press Ass 03/01/08   101.   More proof that Israelis not occupying Gaza 00:21  |  Joop M 03/01/08   102.   What is fair and just in the Middle East 00:38  |  1+22 States Solution 03/01/08   103.   Murine An, Murine An, where were you my deer during Haj? 00:48  |  Jalal Shahid 03/01/08   104.   Why is Slowman so slow on Fridays? 00:56  |  Press Ass 03/01/08   105.   Mark of Lewiston - several interpretations 01:17  |  Mark Lincoln 03/01/08   106.   Whiile I consider 01:25  |  Mark Lincoln 03/01/08   107.   US congress must cut off Egypt!! 01:28  |  Rick G 03/01/08   108.   MUSLIM PLEASE ANSWER 01:37  |  TOBIA 03/01/08   109.   Yuri 01:51  |  Judith 03/01/08   110.   YURI 01:53  |  Judith 03/01/08   111.   Palestinians should be let go back home as they wish 01:57  |  nobodysacred 03/01/08   112.   SHAME ON YOU EGYPT! Give Border Control To INTERNATIONAL Forces. 03:39  |  Proud Pal Defender 03/01/08   113.   #89 Maureen Ann 03:55  |  * BEN JABO 03/01/08   114.   2ND TRY - Mubarak, the contemporary Pharoah 03:57  |  * BEN JABO 03/01/08   115.   90 Judith - Does the US get to Keep Iraq? 04:01  |  Mark of Lewiston 03/01/08   116.   The Cult of Moomooh, only for pagans 04:24  |  Cristo 03/01/08   117.   Pro terrorist attitude of Egypt. 04:27  |  Antiterror guy 03/01/08   118.   For muslim # 80, who doesn`t know Aramaic 05:02  |  Fortuna Benmayor 03/01/08   119.   Once again Egypt aiding terrorism 05:19  |  Conroy 03/01/08   120.   MUSLIM PLEASE ANSWER 06:04  |  TOBIA 03/01/08   121.   #6 Haasan 06:08  |  Marc 03/01/08   122.   Muslim 06:13  |  Marc 03/01/08   123.   #61 LOL 06:14  |  TOBIA 03/01/08   124.   Pals right of return #92 06:20  |  Marc 03/01/08   125.   Egypt cannot be relied on 07:18  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/01/08   126.   Such inhumanity towards Palestinians by Israeli Security 07:58  |  Dutch 03/01/08   127.   Israeli officials are heaartless and cruel occupiers. 08:35  |  Dutch 03/01/08   128.   ISRAEL HAS NO RIGHTS TO GAZA 08:39  |  ELIAS KHOURY 03/01/08   129.   #128 Elias Khoury 19:13  |  * BEN JABO 03/01/08   130.   to #3 Ryan,Egypt existed before US 00:09  |  historian 04/01/08   131.   to #86 Genuine Tosefta Thanks to the God of Israel 00:23  |  Zaki 04/01/08   132.   Tobia where you learn English 04:57  |  george 04/01/08   133.   #112 PPD - That was tried before 07:59  |  * BEN JABO 04/01/08   134.   #132 2nd TRY George - Texas 18:28  |  *BEN JABO 04/01/08   135.   Close the border down 07:25  |  Shlomo 06/01/08   136.   #135 Shlomo - Toronto 23:10  |  * BEN JABO 06/01/08

Today Online Bush says U.S. would defend Israel in event of Iranian strike Responses: 267 Gideon Levy: Bush is hostile and indifferent toward Israel Responses: 122 Israel plans homes on 'absentee' Palestinian land in E. Jerusalem Responses: 100 Rightist MK wants to dissolve PA, promote Arab emigration Responses: 74 Percent of world Jewry living in Israel climbed to 41percent in 2007 Responses: 66 Editorial: Smokers should have right to light up in open space Responses: 45 Rosner's Domain Biden & Dodd: Expertise in foreign policy can only take you so far Is there room for both McCain and Giuliani? New poll: Obama, Huckabee, who's better for Israel? The Judaism of Alicia Silverstone (WTR) Rosner's Guest: How to raise Jewish children More Headlines 22:55 Olmert, Abbas to meet Tues. ahead of Bush visit 22:56 Five IDF soldiers wounded, five Palestinians killed in Gaza fighting 21:08 IDF allows transfer of vital medicine into the Gaza Strip 16:30 Second Lebanon War probe findings to be released Jan. 30 15:33 Yisrael Beiteinu drafts bill fast-tracking Jewish conversion 22:29 Report: IDF develops tiny bulldozer for combat inside Palestinian cities 21:44 Tel Aviv Court extends remand of U.S. basketballer Will Bynum 18:01 Neither Clinton nor Romney can afford to lose in New Hampshire 18:57 PA detains, hands over two Israelis who entered Bethlehem to fix car 18:47 Lecturers, gov't to meet at court in bid to prevent back-to-work orders Previous Editions Select Day 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec

Special Offers Advertisement FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! AMERICANS ONE MONTH LEFT US citizen in Israel beat online Democrats-Abroad Presidential Primary deadline.

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved