Hamas expects Egypt to ease the siege of Gaza

Image of Palestinians at the Rafah border as Egypt reopened the border enabling people to cross freely for the first time in four years on May 28 2011 [Naaman Omar/Apaimages]

A senior Hamas official in Gaza has revealed that the Egyptian authorities are expected to ease the siege of the territory, AlKhaleejonline.com has reported. Mahmoud Al-Zahar made his remarks after a meeting between his colleague Mousa Abu Marzook and Egyptian officials in Cairo.

According to Al-Zahar, the government in Egypt is also planning to improve relations with the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, which runs the de facto government in the coastal territory.

“This is a breakthrough for the Palestinians living in Gaza,” he said. “The officials in Cairo reiterated to Abu Marzook the government’s commitment to opening the Rafah Crossing for both people and commercial activity to boost business links between Gaza and Egypt.”

Egypt needs trade with Gaza due to its current harsh economic climate, he added, and Gaza needs Egypt because of the effects of the siege.

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