Egypt FM: Gaza border crossing to be permanently opened

[Scurrilous]

Egyptian FM tells Al-Jazeera that preparations are already underway to permanently open Rafah border crossing, which would allow goods and people in and out of Gaza with no Israeli supervision.

<snip>

"Egypt's foreign minister said in an interview with Al-Jazeera on Thursday that preparations were underway to open the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on a permanent basis.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi told Al-Jazeera that within seven to 10 days, steps will be taken in order to alleviate the "blockade and suffering of the Palestinian nation."

The announcement indicates a significant change in the policy on Gaza, which before Egypt's uprising, was operated in conjunction with Israel. The opening of Rafah will allow the flow of people and goods in and out of Gaza without Israeli permission or supervision, which has not been the case up until now."

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[Kurska]

1. Wonderful, Gaza can be Egypt's responsibility. n/t

[aranthus]

2. Nice thought, but that isn't how it's going to work out. n/t

[King_David]

3. It May be the 1st step though

With this Egypt would be responsible for security and arms transferring across.

[aranthus]

4. Yes, Egypt will be responsible for arms transfers.

What is Israel going to do about when Egypt allows Hamas to get arms across the border?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. The Egyptians have always treated Gaza like shit, have to wonder where this will lead

[shira]

6. The blockade is over!!! Gaza is free!!!

No more prison camp!

:eyes:

[azurnoir]

7. Oh wow so Israel is going to lift the air and water blockade

could you provide a link please?

[shira]

9. Look at a map. Air and sea through Egypt now. n/t

[azurnoir]

12. so an airplane can land in Gaza City?

Fisherman can fish off the coast of Gaza?

and lets not forget are the Palestinians now free to develop the Gas reserves off the coast of Gaza?

[shira]

13. Why not, if it flies through Egypt first?

And fishermen can fish off the coast of Gaza now.

When the government in charge of Gaza ends its war against Israel and frees Gilad Shalit they can have all the access they want to their gas reserves.

[Ken Burch]

14. Why does it matter where it sails through?

Fishing boats are just for catching fish. That's all they're out there for.

[azurnoir]

17. So your are claiming Israel has discontinued it's air and water blockade of Gaza?

Link please? as to Gilad Shalit the one single Israeli held by Palestinians should Israel be forced to wait to develop it's NG reserves till it releases it's Palestinian prisoners, at least the political one?

[Ken Burch]

16. There was never a justification for restricting food supplies to Gaza

Even YOU would have to admit that. Remember the creep in the Israeli cabinet who said "we'll put them on a diet"?

Food should never have been restricted. Food is just food.

[shaayecanaan]

8. Good news, I am rather liking this Arab spring I must say...

I wonder if Israel will still shoot at fisherman that attempt to fish more than 3 miles offshore. You would think that with the blockade broken that there wouldnt be much point to it.

[shira]

10. "Fishermen" with guns, who fail to follow military orders?

Kinda like the suspicious "farmers" who get close to the Israel border in Gaza, the "farmers" with guns?

[Ken Burch]

15. The fishermen of Gaza have the right to fish where the fish are.

You can't just assume all Gazans are berserkers.

[ensho]

11. good

nt