Egypt to Open Rafah Border Crossing in Ten Days, Ending the Brutal Israeli-Led Siege of Gaza Strip

Press TV, Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:17AM

Palestinian doctors demonstrate in front of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on April 27, 2011demanding the end of the siege by Israel on the Gaza Strip and the opening of the Rafah crossing.

Egypt is preparing to permanently open the Rafah border crossing in a move that would allow people and goods to enter and exit the Gaza Strip.

Reports say Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi said in an interview with Al-Jazeera on Thursday that the crossing will be opened within ten days.

Al-Arabi stated that the move is aimed at easing the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and at alleviating the “blockade and suffering of the Palestinian people.”

Over 1.5 million people in the coastal strip have been living under an Israeli siege since June 2007.

The plan indicates a change in policy following Egypt's recent uprising which ousted the longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak.

Meanwhile, a deal has been reached for a unity government between the Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fat'h after negotiations were held in the Cairo. Fat'h has controlled the Palestinian government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank since 2007.

Hamas and Fat'h have been at odds since the former won the Palestinian parliamentary elections in January 2006.

LF/MGH

Editor's Note:

El-Arabi used the Arabic word "musheen" ("disgraceful" ) to describe the Israeli-led siege of Gaza Strip.

Sit-in at Rafah border demanding urgent opening

[ 28/04/2011 - 10:09 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

The Palestinian trade union association has organized a sit-in Wednesday in front of the Rafah border crossing southern Gaza Strip.

Protesters are demanding full opening of the crossing to allow the flow of humanitarian aid, commodities and needed medical supplies into the Gaza Strip.

During a press conference held outside the crossing gates, Marwan al-Hams, speaking on behalf of the association, called on the Egyptian government to open the crossing.

The Gaza Strip currently suffers a critical shortage in medicines, building materials and other necessary commodities due to the Israeli siege on the tiny enclave.

Scores of doctors, pharmacists, academics, tradesman shouted demands to immediately open the Rafah crossing holding banners demanding an end to the siege.

On Wednesday night, the Palestinian Ahrar movement released a statement calling on the Egyptian government to supply the Gaza Strip with electricity and open the Rafah crossing for natural flow of commodities and people.

”Our people's suffering worsens day after day because of the siege,” the statement says.

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