There Goes the Gaza Blockade

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Egypt will open its only crossing with the Gaza Strip this weekend, the Cairo military government announced Wednesday, significantly easing a four-year blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory but setting up a potential conflict with Israel.

Egypt's official Middle East News Agency said the Rafah border crossing would be opened permanently starting Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Fridays and holidays.

This gives Gaza Palestinians a way to freely enter and exit their territory for the first time since 2007, when Hamas overran the territory, and Israel and Egypt closed the crossings.

MENA said the decision to open the Rafah crossing was part of efforts to end the status of the Palestinian division and achieve national reconciliation.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Nabil Elaraby told the Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera late last month that the closure of Rafah crossing was about to end, calling the decision to close it a disgusting matter.

...

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/egypt-to-permanently-open-rafah-crossing-with-gaza-on-saturday-1.364038

[Vi-Jay 218]

OK.

You upped it.

Please expound.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

OK.

You upped it.

Please expound.

I am not sure what you're asking.

?

[Vi-Jay 218]

You just wanted to post an announcement?

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Um...it's a news article, like so many of the other thread topics in this section.

Would you like to make a pertinent comment, or are you just trolling?

[Nasturtium 500]

Um...it's a news article, like so many of the other thread topics in this section.

Would you like to make a pertinent comment, or are you just trolling?

This is a news article. I think it's rather self-explanatory as are most news articles.

Please expound.

There was a border crossing that was closed. Now it is open.

I am not sure what you're asking.

?

I think looking for a debate.

Hi, btw!

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

This is a news article. I think it's rather self-explanatory as are most news articles.

There was a border crossing that was closed. Now it is open.

I think looking for a debate.

Hi, btw!

Julianna!!! <3 <3 <3

[Vi-Jay 218]

Um...it's a news article, like so many of the other thread topics in this section.

Would you like to make a pertinent comment, or are you just trolling?

Not trolling or looking for a debate.

In fact, I have read some of your (recent) posts and have enjoyed pondering your perspective.

I thought you might add some subjective/relevant/interesting commentary regarding the blockade opening.

and now, You hurt my feelers. but, Don't worry. I have lot's of feelers and you didn't hurt them all.

Just a few.

Edited May 25, 2011 by Vi-Jay

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Not trolling or looking for a debate.

In fact, I have read some of your (recent) posts and have enjoyed pondering your perspective.

I thought you might add some subjective/relevant/interesting commentary regarding the opening.

and now, You hurt my feelers. but, Don't worry. I have lot's of feelers and you didn't hurt them all.

Just a few.

I am not accustomed to your unique style of communication, and did not realize you simply wanted me to comment on this breaking news.

Well - as one might expect, I would say this announcement seems like very good news. It's about dayum time this illegal blockade was ended.

However, it's not a done deal yet.... things could change a lot by Saturday.... stay tuned for further developments !

[Vi-Jay 218]

I am not accustomed to your unique style of communication, and did not realize you simply wanted me to comment on this breaking news.

Well - as one might expect, I would say this announcement seems like very good news. It's about dayum time this illegal blockade was ended.

However, it's not a done deal yet.... things could change a lot by Saturday.... stay tuned for further developments !

No worries.

I will stay tuned.

[Pooky 3,786]

Let's just hope either the Egyptians use some sense and takes preventative measures, or Hamas does the smart thing and doesn't use this to bring in more weapons. Otherwise, the casualties on both sides will start to mount even faster.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I hope otherwise, but my guess is Hamas will wear out their welcome in the new Egypt soon enough.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

The fall of the Mubarak dictatorship has changed the power dynamics of the entire area.

"The New Egypt" is stepping out of the shadows of three decades of stiflement and oppression under a U.S.-backed thug, and reclaiming its historical role as a leading political and cultural power in the region. In the few months since the revolution, it has already brokered the reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, and will now effectively end Israel's 3-year blockade on Gaza. It's also re-evaluating the price of the natural gas it sells to Israel.

Obviously, the 1978 peace treaty that Israel signed with Egypt (the "Camp David Accords") is under the microscope. This agreement stipulated that as part of the deal, Israel would withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza, and that the Palestinians were to be granted full autonomy in those areas within 5 years.

Israel has been in violation of these commitments for nearly 30 years.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

The fall of the Mubarak dictatorship has changed the power dynamics of the entire area.

"The New Egypt" is stepping out of the shadows of three decades of stiflement and oppression under a U.S.-backed thug,

But with a new thug (I haven't yet seen a career-military ruler anywhere who isn't), who may or may not be pro-US.

and reclaiming its historical role as a leading political and cultural power in the region. In the few months since the revolution, it has already brokered the reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, and will now effectively end Israel's 3-year blockade on Gaza. It's also re-evaluating the price of the natural gas it sells to Israel.

Obviously, the 1978 peace treaty that Israel signed with Egypt (the "Camp David Accords") is under the microscope. This agreement stipulated that as part of the deal, Israel would withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza, and that the Palestinians were to be granted full autonomy in those areas within 5 years.

Israel has been in violation of these commitments for nearly 30 years.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

The Egyptian army has said it will not field a candidate in the upcoming presidential elections in November.