{"id":431680,"date":"2011-05-28T08:27:27","date_gmt":"2011-05-28T08:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/05\/28\/egypt-eases-gaza-border-blockade\/"},"modified":"2011-05-28T08:27:27","modified_gmt":"2011-05-28T08:27:27","slug":"egypt-eases-gaza-border-blockade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/28\/egypt-eases-gaza-border-blockade\/","title":{"rendered":"Egypt eases Gaza border blockade"},"content":{"rendered":"

28 May 2011<\/span> Last updated at<\/span> 04:27 ET<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Egypt has relaxed restrictions at its border with the Gaza Strip, allowing many Palestinians to cross freely for the first time in four years.<\/p>\n

Women, children and men over 40 are now allowed to pass freely. Men aged between 18 and 40 will still require a permit, and trade is prohibited.<\/p>\n

The move – strongly opposed by Israel – comes some three months after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak lost power.<\/p>\n

Egypt and Israel closed borders with Gaza when Hamas seized power in 2007.<\/p>\n

Israel retains concerns that weapons will be imported into Gaza through the Egyptian frontier, but Egypt insists it will conduct thorough searches of all those crossing.<\/p>\n

The BBC’s Jon Donnison, in Gaza, says the decision to ease the border controls is symbolically important.<\/p>\n

It is another sign that the new leadership in Egypt is shifting the dynamics of the Middle East.<\/p>\n

Israel has criticised the border move, saying it raised security concerns.<\/p>\n

But with elections coming up in Egypt, our correspondent says the change in policy is likely to be popular with a public sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.<\/p>\n

Continue reading the main story<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cStart Quote<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

We feel that we live in a big jail in Gaza so now we feel a little bit more comfortable\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

End Quote<\/span> Ali Nahallah<\/span> Gaza resident<\/span><\/div>\n

New hopes<\/span><\/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

Gaza resident Ali Nahallah, who has not left the Strip for four years, told the BBC the changes would be welcome.<\/p>\n

“Of course this is our only entry point from Gaza to the external world,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We feel that we live in a big jail in Gaza so now we feel a little bit more comfortable and life is easier now. My kids are willing to travel to see other places other than Gaza.”<\/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 says the crossing will be open 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

Read more here:
\nEgypt eases Gaza border blockade<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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