22:51 ET<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEgypt is poised to reopen its border with Gaza to most Palestinians for the first time since 2007.<\/p>\n
Women and children will be allowed to cross freely, as will men aged over 40. Men aged between 18 and 40 will still require a permit.<\/p>\n
Egypt and Israel have blockaded the Gaza Strip since the militant Hamas movement took power there.<\/p>\n
Israel fears weapons will be imported into Gaza, but Egypt insists it will conduct thorough searches.<\/p>\n
The Rafah border crossing is scheduled to reopen at 0900 local time (0700 GMT) on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Severe shortages<\/span><\/p>\nThe BBC’s Jon Leyne in Cairo says the move is another sign of Egypt’s changing policy towards Israel and the Palestinians since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February.<\/p>\n
Although the border will still be closed for trade, the opening of the Rafah crossing is expected to provide a major economic boost to Gaza.<\/p>\n
Previously, only about 300 Palestinians were allowed out every day.<\/p>\n
The latest move comes a month after Egypt pushed through a unity deal between the two main Palestinian factions – Fatah and Hamas – something Israel also opposed.<\/p>\n
Fatah runs the West Bank, while Hamas governs Gaza.<\/p>\n
Analysts say that with elections looming in Egypt the new policy is likely be popular with a public largely sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.<\/p>\n
Egypt’s co-operation in blockading Gaza was one of President Mubarak’s most unpopular policies.<\/p>\n
Egypt has said that the crossing will be opened from 0900 to 2100 every day except Fridays and holidays.<\/p>\n
Last year, Israel eased restrictions on goods entering Gaza, but severe shortages in the territory remain.<\/p>\n
In 2010, the International Committee of the Red Cross said the blockade was a clear violation of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of smuggling tunnels run under the Egyptian border with Gaza.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
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