The Rafiah border between Egypt and Gaza opened for three days starting Saturday, as rumors abounded that a new deal between Israel and Hamas regarding both a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit was near.
Egypt opened the crossing to a small number of students, medical patients, and Hamas government figures. Reports said around 400 people crossed from Gaza into Egypt, and another 700 went the opposite way. In addition, 10 trucks of medical aid from Arab countries entered the Hamas-controlled territory.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh made a surprise visit to the border. “We are ready to open the crossing with an agreement between our brothers the Egyptians, the Europeans, President Mahmoud Abbas and the Hamas government,” he said.
An Egyptian-brokered agreement between the Abbas-led Palestinian Authority and the Hamas terrorist group has proved illusive, with talks between the sides frequently breaking down. Egypt refuses to permanently open the Rafiah crossing without a deal between the two groups.
United Nations Works and Relief Association (UNWRA) Gaza Chief Chris Guinness was not optimistic about the border development. “This will only create a small change, if any,” he said. “The Rafiah crossing cannot support a large scale transfer of building materials or Humanitarian aid."
Crossings from Israel represent Gaza’s lifeline, with hundreds of tons of supplies, food, fuel, gas, and humanitarian aid passing into the Hamas-controlled territory daily. Israel refuses to allow the passage of building supplies or other materials it fears could be used to manufacture weapons for the Hamas terrorist group.
Reports Israel Involved in Gaza Ceasefire Discussions
As Egypt opened its border with Gaza, reports in Israel said that the government was involved in negotiations to reach a new ceasefire with Hamas. Defense Minister Ehud Barak has met with senior Egyptian officials both in Israel and Cairo on a possible deal.
If the Hamas-PA talks succeed, Israel would agree that a unity government take control of Gaza. In addition, the Rafiah crossing would permanently open with European observers, and Israel would increase the scope of goods passing through its Gaza crossings.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon confirmed that Israel had deepened its ties with Egypt over the last few weeks, but denied that Israel was considering a new ceasefire.
“We’re afraid that Fatah will turn into Hamas, rather than Hamas turning into Fatah, and then there would be no chance of any deal” he told Army Radio. On the other hand he admitted that if Hamas would recognize the Jewish state and denounce terrorism, Israel would be willing to negotiate.
Shalit Family No Longer Will Respond to Continuing Release Rumors
Israeli sources said any deal with Hamas would likely advance a prisoner exchange deal for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in captivity in Gaza for over three years.
Shalit’s family said Sunday, however, that they would no longer respond to ongoing rumors about their son's release. They claimed the rumors were released by Hamas in order to put pressure on the Israeli government to free terrorists. Defense Minister Barak, too, claimed the rumors are harmful to the efforts to achieve the soldier's release.
On Saturday, the London-based A-sharq Al-awast reported that a deal trading Shalit for over 1,000 Hamas prisoners was imminent. Hamas leader Haniyeh, however, said that reports of a breakthrough on Shalit negotiations were exaggerated. Israeli sources also continued to deny any impending deal.
Shalit supporters promised they would continue their effort to block the transfer of goods between Israel and Gaza. Last week, demonstrators successfully blocked the crossings for a short period of time. Activists say that Israel should put pressure on Hamas to release Shalit by closing down the border crossings that provide a lifeline to Gaza residents.