CAIRO/GAZA CITY: Egypt's decision to end its blockade of Gaza by opening the only crossing to the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory this weekend could ease the isolation of 1.4 million Palestinians there. It also puts the new Egyptian regime at odds with Israel, which insists on careful monitoring of people and goods entering Gaza for security reasons. The Rafah crossing will be open permanently starting Saturday, Egypt's official Middle East News Agency announced. That would provide Gaza Palestinians their first open border to the world in four years, since Egypt and Israel slammed their crossings shut after the Islamic militant Hamas overran the Gaza Strip in 2007. During the closure, Egypt sometimes opened its border to allow Palestinians through for special reasons such as education or medical treatment. But with Israel severely restricting movement of Palestinians through its Erez crossing in northern Gaza, residents there were virtual prisoners. Wednesday's announcement said old rules will be reinstated, allowing Palestinians with passports to cross into Egypt every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. except for Fridays and holidays, according to MENA. Gaza's Hamas rulers Thursday welcomed as “courageous” an Egyptian decision to open permanently the Rafah border crossing between the two territories. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum hailed the move as “a courageous and responsible decision which falls in line with Palestinian and Egyptian public opinion.” “We hope that it is a step towards the complete lifting of the siege on Gaza,” he said in a statement, calling on the world “to follow Egypt's example” in breaking the Israeli blockade which has been in place since 2006. Entry into Gaza was more complicated. Palestinians ran their side of the crossing. European monitors had a role at the crossing, and they have been waiting to resume that function. Also, Israel was supposed to have a monitoring role from afar, theoretically to stop weapons and militants from entering Gaza. Mohammed Awad, the Hamas minister of foreign affairs, said he “highly appreciates the decision by the Egyptian brothers to ease the process of travel at Rafah terminal. This reflects the deep relation between us and Egypt, and it will contribute to ease the lives of the Palestinians in Gaza.” Col. Ayoub Abu Shaer, Gaza director of the Rafah terminal, said the two sides have been discussing the changes in recent weeks. Under the proposal, women would be able to leave Gaza without restrictions, while men between the ages of 18 and 40 would have to obtain visas for Egypt at the border. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor refused to comment. Benoit Cusin, a representative of the European observers, said they have not received instructions from Israel or the Palestinians. “We are ready when they are,” he said. In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the Rafah crossing was already open some of the time. “The US supports efforts to meet the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” he told The Associated Press. “Efforts should also ensure that the transfer of weapons or other materiel and financial support for terrorism is blocked.” The decision reflected a change in Egypt's attitude toward Israel since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak in February. The military council running the country until parliamentary and presidential elections is less concerned about its relations with Israel and has shown more interest in the Palestinians.
