2008 breach of the Egypt–Gaza border

Last updated

2008 breach of the Egypt–Gaza border
Road to Gaza 060 - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg
Rafah Border Crossing
Date23 January 2008
Location Rafah Border Crossing
Type Explosion
Organized byFlag of Hamas.svg  Hamas
Outcome200,000–700,000 Palestinians crossed over to Egypt

On 23 January 2008, Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip set off an explosion near the Rafah border crossing, destroying part of the 2003 wall. The United Nations estimates that as many as half the 1.5 million population of the Gaza Strip crossed the border into Egypt seeking food and supplies. Due to fears that militants would acquire weapons in Egypt, Israeli police went on increased alert. [1]

Contents

Egypt had closed the Rafah border crossing in June 2007, days before the Hamas took control of Gaza at the end of the Gaza civil war; [2] [3] The breach followed a blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel beginning in part that same June, with fuel supply reductions in October 2007. [4] A total blockade had begun on 17 January 2008 following a rise in rocket attacks on Israel emanating from Gaza. [1]

Although Israel demanded Egypt reseal the border due to security concerns, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered his troops to allow crossings to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, while verifying that the Gazans did not attempt to bring weapons back into Gaza. In five days, Gazans spent some US$250 million in the North Sinai Governorate's capital of Arish alone. [5] The sudden enormous demand there for staple products led to large local price rises and some shortages.

On 24 January, the United Nations Human Rights Council condemned Israel for the fifteenth time in less than two years, calling the blockade collective punishment. [6] However, the proceedings were boycotted by Israel and the United States. On 27 January, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised that Israel would no longer disrupt the supply of food, medicine and necessary energy into the Gaza Strip. [7] Meanwhile, President Mubarak announced plans to meet separately with representatives of Hamas and Fatah in order to come to a new border control agreement. [7]

On 3 February, Gaza's Foreign minister, Mahmoud al-Zahar, announced that Hamas and Egypt would cooperate in controlling the border without Israeli control, "perhaps jointly with Abbas". [8] Abbas' Government said that Egypt had agreed to restore the 2005 border agreement giving Abbas control over the Rafah crossing, but excluding Hamas. Israel, on the other hand resisted Abbas' control of any crossing point. [9] The border was closed—except to travelers returning home—eleven days after the breach. [10]

Background

Egypt had pledged to help control their border with Gaza along the Israeli Gaza Strip barrier subsequent to the Israel's unilateral disengagement plan which ended their 38-year occupation of Gaza in 2005 (q.v. Philadelphi Route). [11] U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice brokered a deal with Israel giving the Palestinian National Authority control over the Rafah Border crossing under the remote video observation of European Union and Israeli monitors (q.v. European Union Border Assistance Mission Rafah). [12] [13]

After Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian legislative election in January 2006, an international diplomatic and financial boycott of the new Hamas-led government began. [4] Beginning in June 2006, a series of battles erupted between Palestinian gunmen and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during 2006 Israel–Gaza conflict, which ended in a truce on 26 November.

In December 2006, Hamas began fighting to expel Fatah. Hundreds of rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza had continued despite the November truce. In March 2007, the Palestinian Legislative Council established a national unity government, with 83 representatives voting in favor and three against. Government ministers were sworn in by Mahmoud Abbas, the chairman on the Palestinian Authority, in a ceremony held simultaneously in Gaza and Ramallah. In June 2007, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip [14] and removed Fatah officials. Following the Battle of Gaza, the international sanctions were terminated in June 2007 while at the same time a new and more severe blockade of the Gaza Strip was initiated.

In response to the violent clashes, President Abbas declared a state of emergency and dissolved the national unity government on 14 June. Hamas gained complete control of the Gaza Strip on 15 June, [15] after forcing out Fatah. The Israeli government closed all check-points along its border with Gaza in response to the violence. [12] Egypt closed its border when fighting between Fatah and Hamas started on 7 June. [3] The European Union monitors ended their oversight at the frontier on 14 June due to security concerns. Egyptian officials said that a decision to reopen Gaza's border would be made in consultation with the European Union and Israel. [3] Hamas seized control of Gaza on 15 June.

Humanitarian crisis

Beginning in June 2007, Israel limited its exports to Gaza to nine basic materials. Out of 9,000 commodities (including foodstuffs) that were entering Gaza before the 2006 elections, only 20 commodities were to be allowed in. [4] In July 2007, Israeli officials planned to open the border crossing at Rafah to allow stranded Palestinians to return to Gaza but were deterred by Hamas's threats to open fire on the refugees. [16]

In October 2007, Israel began limiting fuel supplies to the territory. [4] Ongoing rocket attacks on Israeli civilian population centers, such as Sderot, prompted the Israeli government to declare the Gaza Strip a hostile entity in September 2007, [17] enabling it to further limit exports to Gaza. [17] Hamas responded that Israel had effectively declared war by labeling Gaza as an "enemy entity." [18]

In December 2007, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed the need for humanitarian relief in the Palestinian territories. [19] In a statement, the ICRC described the living conditions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as "alarming" and called for Israel to ease restrictions on the movement of goods into Gaza and the West Bank. [19]

According to a United Nations study, by January 2008, the economic effects of the blockade had reached a critical threshold. [20] Finally, on 17 January 2008, following a rise in the number of rocket attacks, Israel sealed the border completely. [1]

On 20 January, the only power plant in Gaza shut down. [1] The United Nations officials implored Israel to reverse its decision to seal all border crossings with the Gaza Strip, warning that the violence in the region and the lack of crucial supplies for 1.4 million Palestinians was provoking a humanitarian crisis. [21] Israel accused Hamas of "fabricating" the power shortage, pointing out that the power plant in Gaza produces only a minority of the territory's power. [22] Israel stated that the blackout occurred for media purposes and stated that Hamas had timed it themselves. [23] Israel said it was still providing nearly 70 percent of the territory's power directly. [22]

Following widespread international concern about an impending humanitarian crisis, and a warning from the United Nations that World Food Programme aid to about 860,000 Gazans could be halted within days because of the blockade, [22] Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided to ease restrictions on the flow of goods into Gaza for a day on 22 January, [22] permitting shipments of fuel for Gaza's power plant and cooking oil to enter Gaza. [24]

Breaching of wall

Gaza Strip. Rafah is at bottom-left. Gaza Strip map2.svg
Gaza Strip. Rafah is at bottom-left.

On 22 January, gunfire erupted after a group of Hamas demonstrators, mostly women, forced open the door of the Rafah Border crossing and fled into Egypt. [25]

Overnight on 23 January, gunmen set off a number of explosions along the wall near the crossing. Palestinians packed into cars and donkey carts, crossed the border into Egypt from Gaza on foot, to buy essential goods. [26] Between 200,000 and 700,000 Palestinians crossed over to Egypt and bought items at shops at the Egyptian half of Rafah and the North Sinai Governorate's capital, Arish. [27] [28] A Palestinian security guard later told The Times of London that militants had been steadily cutting through the base of the Israeli Gaza Strip barrier with oxyacetylene torches for months. [23] [29]

While Egypt allowed Palestinians to enter Egypt, it did not let them travel very far; Palestinians were not allowed to travel further than Arish. [30] Egypt said that it would not use force to send back Palestinians. [31] Foreign ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said the border would be closed again when all the Palestinians had returned. [31]

Ahmed Yousef, a senior adviser to Gaza's Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, warned that "The next time there is a crisis in the Gaza Strip, Israel will have to face half a million Palestinians who will march toward Erez," a border crossing with Israel, and on to towns left during the 1948 Palestinian expulsion and flight. [32] [33] Israeli security officials said militants had exploited the breach in the border wall to send armed men into the Sinai to infiltrate Israel across the Sinai–Israel border. [32] The officials said the militants were eager to hit back in response to Israeli attacks in recent weeks and predicted attacks from Sinai within the next two weeks. [32]

On 25 January, Egyptian security forces blocked almost all illegal entry points along the border with Gaza to try to stem the flow of Palestinians wanting to leave. [1] Egyptian forces in riot gear erected barbed wire and chain-link fences along the border to prevent more Palestinians from crossing. [34] Palestinians attempted to break through, and several were injured in the resulting clashes.

After the repair, Palestinians used a bulldozer to knock over the new fence, creating an opening once more. [34] As the border crossings entered their fifth day, Egyptian border police began stopping Gazans from entering in vehicles and blocked off the road beyond Rafah to Arish. [7] In Rafah there was little left to buy, and it appeared Egypt had decided to restrict the resupply of goods to El Arish and Rafah in order to peacefully end the crossings and reestablish control over the border. [7]

On 28 January, Egyptian security forces and Hamas militants strung barbed wire across one of the breaches, sealing it off. [35] The Egyptians began repairing one of the two remaining breaches on 29 January. [36]

UN reaction

On 24 January, the United Nations Human Rights Council condemned Israel for the fifteenth time in less than two years. [6] The Council released a statement calling on Israel to stop its military operations in Gaza and to open the Strip's borders to allow the entry of food, fuel and medicine. It asked the international community to ensure that Israel stop its actions in Gaza, which it referred to as "collective punishment of the Palestinian civilians that leads to disastrous humanitarian and environmental consequences."

An official resolution was presented by Syria and Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to the United Nations Security Council but could not be agreed upon. [24] Thirty nations voted in favor of the resolution, one (Canada) voted against the resolution, 15 countries abstained, and one (Gabon) was absent. [6] [24] Both Israel and the United States boycotted the proceedings, which ended with a call for Israel to lift its siege of Gaza but made no mention of the Palestinian rocket attacks on communities in the western Negev. [6]

Israeli government response

Israel demanded Egypt reseal the border and launched air strikes against the Gazan half of Rafah overnight on 24 January, killing Mohammed Abu Harb, the commander of Hamas's military there. [1]

At a court hearing on 27 January, the Israeli government promised to resume supplies of fuel, but not at normal levels, for another week. [37] Later that day, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised that Israel would no longer disrupt the supply of food, medicine and necessary energy into the Gaza Strip. [7] Israel then launched additional air strikes targeting the Gazan military in Rafah, but there were no injuries. [38]

Border-control talks

Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, and Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority which controls the West Bank, held talks on 27 January in Jerusalem on the border breach. [39] Abbas reportedly wants to take over Gaza's border crossings, including the one with Egypt that Palestinians in Gaza breached, [39] but Israel resisted the idea of giving the West Bank-based government control of the Gaza crossings, citing concerns about security. [39]

Hamas and Fatah, who controlled Gaza before the last election, have accepted an invitation from Egypt to hold separate talks in Cairo on the border crisis. [2] [40] All sides hoped to create a plan to keep the border between Egypt and Gaza open. [7] A Hamas delegation also met with Saudi Prince Saud al-Faisal who has acted as a mediator between Hamas and Fatah. [41]

An Israeli defense delegation secretly visited Cairo on 28 January and discussed the situation with top Egyptian officials the London-based Asharq Alawsat newspaper reported. According to the report, the delegation relayed to Egypt Israel's fears that Palestinian militants would smuggle weapons and explosives through Egypt's open border with the Gaza Strip. [42] The Egyptians stressed that Israel was the one responsible for the deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip and the eventual breaching of the border wall. [42]

Hamas stated they would accept a return of the EU monitoring mission if it were to reside in Egypt or the Gaza Strip, as opposed to being based in Israel. [43]

Border closure

The border was closed by Egypt with Hamas's cooperation, except for travelers returning home, on 3 February. [10] [44]

Economic effects

In Arish alone, Gazans spent some US$250 million over five days. [5] Palestinians and Egyptians complained about soaring prices and shortages, especially of food. [45] Enormous demand for staple products from Gaza caused rampant inflation, as did the Egyptian government's decision to restrict goods coming into the border region in an effort to encourage the Palestinians to go back home. [45] Palestinians also accused Egyptians of price gouging, where prices have risen to the point where the cost of goods is sufficiently high that supply matches demand. [45]

The breach created tens of thousands of temporary new jobs in Gaza where the returning caravans set up shop; unemployment had been at 40 percent. [5] Egyptian merchants also crossed into the Gaza Strip to sell their wares. [35] The food brought in from Egypt during the first six days would last Gazans three months, fuel about two days and cement for two weeks if the borders are resealed, according to various estimates from economists, business leaders and gas station owners. [5]

However, were the border to remain open long term, Gaza's workers and manufacturers who had worked in the more upscale Israeli market before layoffs during the Second Intifada would have trouble competing in Egypt's low-wage economy, according to West Bank economist Nasser Abdel Karim. [5]

International response

Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Tehran offered to send aid to Egypt to alleviate the effects of the breach. [46]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
U.S. President George W. Bush condemned Hamas for delivering "misery" to the Palestinian people, and called for talks to create a Palestinian state. [47]
Flag of Europe.svg  European Union
The EU said it would consider sending its monitors back to Gaza's border with Egypt, and unveiled a new plan for getting aid to Palestinians. [48]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaza Strip</span> Self-governing Palestinian territory next to Egypt and Israel

The Gaza Strip, also known simply as Gaza, is a small territory located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea; it is the smaller of the two Palestinian territories, the other being the West Bank, that make up the State of Palestine. Inhabited by mostly Palestinian refugees and their descendants, Gaza is one of the most densely populated territories in the world. Gaza is bordered by Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north.

This page is a partial listing of incidents of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaza–Israel barrier</span> Border barrier between the Palestinian Gaza Strip and Israel

The Gaza–Israel barrier is a border barrier located on the Israeli side of the Gaza–Israel border. Before the Israel–Hamas war, the Erez Crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, used to be the only crossing point for people and goods coming from Israel into the Gaza Strip, with a second crossing point, the Kerem Shalom border crossing, used exclusively for goods coming from Egypt, as Israel didn't allow goods to go directly from Egypt into Gaza through the Egypt–Gaza border, except for the Salah Al Din Gate, opened in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaza Strip smuggling tunnels</span> Smuggling tunnels dug along the Egypt–Gaza border

The Gaza Strip smuggling tunnels are smuggling tunnels that had been dug under the Philadelphi Route along the Egypt–Gaza border. They were dug to subvert the blockade of the Gaza Strip to smuggle in fuel, food, weapons and other goods into the Gaza Strip. After the Egypt–Israel peace treaty of 1979, the town of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, was split by this buffer zone. One part is located in the southern part of Gaza, and the smaller part of the town is in Egypt. After Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the Philadelphi Corridor was placed under the control of the Palestine Authority until 2007, when Hamas seized power in 2007, and Egypt and Israel closed borders with the Gaza Strip.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphi Corridor</span> Strip of land on the Egypt–Gaza border

The Philadelphi Corridor, also called Philadelphi Route, is the Israeli code name for a narrow strip of land, some 100 metres wide and 14 km long, situated along the entirety of the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fatah Hawks</span> Palestinian militant groups

The Fatah Hawks is the name of two Palestinian militant groups. One is a popular movement of Palestinian youth in the West Bank and Gaza in the 1980s. The other is an offshoot of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades which has links to the dominant Fatah movement. The group has carried out attacks against Israeli military personnel in the Gaza Strip and were regarded as Yasser Arafat's "own troops".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fatah–Hamas conflict</span> Palestinian factional conflict since 2006

The Fatah–Hamas conflict is an ongoing political and strategic conflict between Fatah and Hamas, the two main Palestinian political parties in the Palestinian territories, leading to the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007. The reconciliation process and unification of Hamas and Fatah administrations remains unfinalized and the situation is deemed a frozen conflict.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Gaza–Israel conflict</span> Israeli military offensive in the Gaza strip

The 2006 Gaza–Israel conflict, known in Israel as Operation Summer Rains, was a series of battles between Palestinian militants and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during summer 2006, prompted by the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by Palestinian militants on 25 June 2006. Large-scale conventional warfare occurred in the Gaza Strip, starting on 28 June 2006, which was the first major ground operation in the Gaza Strip since Israel's unilateral disengagement plan was implemented between August and September 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rafah Border Crossing</span> Egypt–Palestine border crossing

The Rafah Border Crossing or Rafah Crossing Point is the sole crossing point between Egypt and Palestine's Gaza Strip. It is located on the Egypt–Palestine border. Under a 2007 agreement between Egypt and Israel, Egypt controls the crossing but imports through the Rafah crossing require Israeli approval.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erez Crossing</span> Border crossing on the northern end of the Gaza Strip

The Erez Crossing, also known as the Beit Hanoun Crossing, is a border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. It is located at the northern end of the Gaza Strip, between the Israeli kibbutz of Erez and the Palestinian town of Beit Hanoun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blockade of the Gaza Strip</span> 2005–present land, sea and air blockade by Israel and Egypt

The restrictions on movement and goods in Gaza imposed by Israel date to the early 1990s. After Hamas took over in 2007, Israel significantly intensified existing movement restrictions and imposed a complete blockade on the movement of goods and people in and out of the Gaza Strip. Egypt began its blockade of Gaza in 2007, shortly after Hamas took control of the territory. The blockade's current stated aim is to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza; previously stated motivations have included exerting economic pressure on Hamas. Human rights groups have called the blockade illegal and a form of collective punishment, as it restricts the flow of essential goods, contributes to economic hardship, and limits Gazans' freedom of movement. The blockade and its effects have led to the territory being called an "open-air prison".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire</span> 2008 Egyptian-brokered six-month temporary peace in Gaza

The 2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire was an Egyptian-brokered six-month Tahdia "for the Gaza area", which went into effect between Hamas and Israel on 19 June 2008. According to the Egyptian-brokered agreement, Israel promised to stop air strikes and other attacks, while in return, there would not be rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza. Once the ceasefire held, Israel was to gradually begin to ease its blockade of Gaza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egypt–Gaza barrier</span> Border barrier between Egypt and the Palestinian Gaza Strip

The Egypt–Gaza barrier is a steel border barrier constructed by Egypt along its 14 km border with the Gaza Strip. The Rafah border crossing is the only border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egypt–Palestine relations</span> Bilateral relations

Egypt–Palestine relations are the bilateral relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Palestine. Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser was a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and he favored self-determination for the Palestinians. Although the Egyptian government has maintained a good relationship with Israel since the Camp David Accords, most Egyptians strongly resent Israel, and disapprove of the close relationship between the Israeli and Egyptian governments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamas government in the Gaza Strip</span> De facto government in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip in Palestine since its takeover of the region from rival party Fatah in June 2007. Hamas' government was led by Ismail Haniyeh from 2007 until February 2017, when Haniyeh was replaced as leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip by Yahya Sinwar. As of November 2023, Yahya Sinwar continues to be the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In January 2024, due to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war, Israel said that Hamas lost control of most of the northern part of the Gaza Strip. In May 2024, Hamas regrouped in the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egypt–Gaza border</span> International border

The Egypt–Palestine border, also called Egypt–Gaza border, is the 12-kilometre (7.5 mi) long border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. There is a buffer zone along the border which is about 100m wide in parts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Gaza (2007)</span> Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip from Fatah

The Battle of Gaza or the Gaza civil war was a brief civil war between Fatah and Hamas that took place in the Gaza Strip from 10 to 15 June 2007. It was a prominent event in the Fatah–Hamas conflict, centered on the struggle for power after Fatah lost the 2006 Palestinian legislative election. The battle resulted in the dissolution of the unity government and the de facto division of the Palestinian territories into two entities: the West Bank governed by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), and the Gaza Strip governed by Hamas. Hamas fighters took control of the Gaza Strip, while Fatah officials were either taken as prisoners, executed, or expelled. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights reported that at least 161 people were killed and more than 700 were wounded during the fighting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agreement on Movement and Access</span> Israeli-Palestinian agreement

The Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) was an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) signed on 15 November 2005 aimed at improving Palestinian freedom of movement and economic activity within the Palestinian territories, and open the Rafah Crossing on the Gaza–Egypt border. AMA was described as: ″an agreement on facilitating the movement of people and goods within the Palestinian Territories and on opening an international crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border that will put the Palestinians in control of the entry and exit of people.″ Part of the agreement was the Agreed Principles for Rafah Crossing.

The 2017 Fatah–Hamas Agreement is a reconciliation agreement signed between Fatah and Hamas on 12 October 2017. The agreement was brokered by Egypt, and signed in Cairo. The deal was signed by the leader of the Fatah delegation Azzam al-Ahmad and Hamas deputy politburo chief Salah al-Arouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip (2023–present)</span>

On 9 October 2023, Israel intensified the blockade of the Gaza Strip after the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and the ensuing Israel–Hamas war when it announced a "total blockade", blocking the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Gazans make new border wall hole: Palestinians have bulldozed down part of the Gaza-Egypt border wall again, hours after Egyptian troops blocked holes recently made by militants". BBC News. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 28 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  2. 1 2 Almeghari, Rami (27 January 2008). "Haniya's former advisor expects reopening of other Gaza crossings". International Middle East Media Center. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 Knickmeyer, Ellen (18 June 2007). "Gaza Straining at Egypt's Door: Humanitarian, Security Worries Mount". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  4. 1 2 3 4 al-Sarraj, Eyad; Sara Roy (28 January 2008). "Ending the stranglehold on Gaza". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 El Deeb, Sarah (28 January 2008). "Border Breach Temporary Boost for Gaza". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2 February 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "UNHRC slams Israel's actions in Gaza". The Jerusalem Post. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Erlanger, Steven (27 January 2008). "Israel to Allow Supply Flow into Gaza". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  8. ↑ al-Mughrabi, Nidal (3 February 2008). "Hamas to control passage over breached Egypt border". The Boston Globe. Reuters.
  9. ↑ Egypt vows to control Gaza border, assures Abbas. Reuters, 27 January 2008
  10. 1 2 "Egyptian Troops Seal Gaza Border". Isabel Kershner, The New York Times, 3 February 2008
  11. ↑ Soueif, Ahdaf (27 January 2008). "This exodus presents us Egyptians with a threat – and an opportunity". The Guardian (UK). London. Archived from the original on 29 January 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  12. 1 2 "EU monitors to stop Hamas money at Egypt-Gaza border". Reuters. 21 December 2006. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  13. ↑ "Rice deal opens Gaza Strip border". Taipei Times. 16 November 2006. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  14. ↑ Black, Ian; Tran, Mark (15 June 2007). "Hamas takes control of Gaza". Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  15. ↑ McGreal, Chris (19 March 2003). "Arafat forced to give up most powers to new PM". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 18 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  16. ↑ Katz, Yaakov (5 July 2007). "Hamas threats keep crossing closed". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 29 January 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  17. 1 2 "Israel brands Gaza 'hostile entity' as Rice visits". Agence France-Presse. 19 September 2007. Archived from the original on 29 January 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
  18. ↑ "Hamas says Gaza sanctions "declaration of war"". Reuters. 19 September 2007. Archived from the original on 29 January 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
  19. 1 2 "Occupied Palestinian territories: ICRC calls for immediate political action to contain deep crisis" (Press release). Geneva: International Committee of the Red Cross. 13 December 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
  20. ↑ Eldar, Akiva (22 January 2008). "UN: Despite Israel's promises, West Bank barriers have increased". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 24 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  21. ↑ "UN warns of humanitarian crisis as Israel seals Gaza crossings". Haaretz. 21 January 2008. Archived from the original on 22 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "Israel eases restrictions on Gaza". BBC News. 22 January 2008. Archived from the original on 23 January 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
  23. 1 2 Terror in Gaza: Eight months since the Hamas takeover Archived 5 August 2012 at archive.today , Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 14 February 2008.
  24. 1 2 3 "Security Council fails yet again to agree Gaza statement". Agence France-Presse. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 28 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  25. ↑ "Militants blow up Rafah barrier". World News Australia. 24 January 2008. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  26. ↑ "Gazans flood through Egypt border". BBC News. 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 26 January 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
  27. ↑ "At Gaza border with Egypt, masses make reverse exodus into Sinai". Haaretz. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 27 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  28. ↑ "UN fails to agree on Gaza statement". Radio Netherlands Worldwide. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 28 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  29. ↑ Hider, James (6 March 2008). "The great escape – or perhaps it is just a gigantic shopping spree". Times (UK). London. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
  30. ↑ Gutkin, Steven (24 January 2008). "Egyptians Controlling Border Traffic". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 28 January 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
  31. 1 2 "Egypt 'won't force Gazans back'". BBC News. 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 27 January 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
  32. 1 2 3 Rabinovich, Abraham (26 January 2008). "'Breakout into Israel' ahead". The Australian. Jerusalem. Archived from the original on 1 February 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  33. ↑ Toameh, Khaled Abu (25 January 2008). "Hamas: 500,000 will march on Erez". The Jersalsem Post. Retrieved 4 February 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  34. 1 2 al-Mughrabi, Nidal (25 January 2008). "Hamas challenges Egypt's bid to close Gaza border". Reuters. Archived from the original on 28 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  35. 1 2 Issacharoff, Avi; Yuval Azoulay (28 January 2008). "Hamas, Egypt cooperate in resealing Gaza border; U.S. peace envoy arrives". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 1 February 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  36. ↑ New Agencies (29 January 2008). "Egypt begins repairing new section of destroyed Gaza-Egypt border wall". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 30 January 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  37. ↑ "Israel 'to resume Gaza supplies': Israel says it will resume supplying fuel to Gaza, 10 days after it stopped shipments following continued rocket attacks by Palestinian militants". BBC News. 27 January 2008. Archived from the original on 29 January 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  38. ↑ "Israel launches air raids on Hamas targets in Gaza". The Times of India. 27 January 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  39. 1 2 3 "Talks focus on Gaza border control". Al Jaazera. 27 January 2008. Archived from the original on 29 January 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  40. ↑ "Gaza Strip border still open as Cairo to host Fatah, Hamas leaders for separate crisis talks". Al Bawaba. 27 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  41. ↑ Al-Saheil, Turki (28 January 2008). "Hamas Hopes Saudi Mediation Will Lead to Direct Talks with Fatah". Asharq Al-Awsat. Archived from the original on 11 July 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  42. 1 2 "Israel, Egypt meet on Gaza status". The Jerusalem Post. 29 January 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  43. ↑ "Hamas accepts EU at crossing point if they reside in Gaza or Egypt – Middle East". Archived from the original on 4 February 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  44. ↑ "Satellite News and latest stories | The Jerusalem Post". fr.jpost.com.
  45. 1 2 3 McDonough, Challiss (28 January 2008). "Egypt Tightens Control Along Gaza Border". Voice of America. Arish. Archived from the original on 30 January 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  46. ↑ Butcher, Tim (29 January 2008). "Iran offers aid to Egypt over Gaza crisis". The Telegraph (UK). Jerusalem. Archived from the original on 31 January 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  47. ↑ "Bush to Gaza: 'Look what Hamas has brought you'". AFP. 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 23 February 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  48. ↑ "EU Discusses Gaza, Unveils New Aid Plan for Palestinians". Deutsche Welle. 28 January 2008. Archived from the original on 29 January 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.

31°17′22.96″N34°14′34.56″E / 31.2897111°N 34.2429333°E / 31.2897111; 34.2429333

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.