Egypt-Gaza border opens under PA control for first time in a decade
Source: Reuters
#WORLD NEWS NOVEMBER 18, 2017 / 6:23 AM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO
Egypt-Gaza border opens under PA control for first time in a decade
Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ
GAZA (Reuters) - The Egypt-Gaza border opened under control of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority for the first time since 2007 on Saturday, raising residents hopes for easier passage in and out of the impoverished enclave.
An Egyptian-brokered reconciliation deal last month formally restored Palestinian President Abbass administrative control of Gaza, including its border crossings with Israel and Egypt, after a 10-year schism with Islamist Hamas.
Palestinians hope the pact will ease Gazas economic woes and help them present a united front in their drive for statehood, although the details of implementation of the deal have yet to be worked out fully.
Citing security concerns, Egypt and Israel maintain tight restrictions at their Gaza borders. Hamas, regarded by the West as a terrorist group, seized the enclave in 2007 after fighting forces loyal to Abbas.
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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-reconciliation-rafah/egypt-gaza-border-opens-under-pa-control-for-first-time-in-a-decade-idUSKBN1DI0C9