Egypt to permanently reopen Rafah crossing from this Saturday despite Israeli objections

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Egypt will open its crossing with the Gaza Strip this weekend, Cairo's interim military government has announced.

The move will significantly ease a four-year blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory, but sets up a potential conflict with Israel.

Egypt's official Middle East News Agency (Mena) said the Rafah border crossing would be opened from Saturday daily between 9am and 9pm, except on Fridays and holidays.

This gives Gazans a way to freely enter and exit their territory for the first time since 2007, when the Islamist militant group Hamas seized control of the territory from its Palestinian rivals Fatah, and Israel and Egypt closed their crossings.

Israel's crossings are more significant, since these handle most non-smuggled cargo. A year ago Israel eased its restrictions on cargo entering Gaza, but it still severely limits entry and exit of Gazans through its northern crossing into Israel.

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". more

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