Egyptian and Hamas security forces have resealed the border fence at the Rafah crossing through which Palestinians were able to secure food, fuel, and other necessities during the current illegal Israeli blockade of the territory. Mahmoud al-Zahar, a former Palestinian foreign minister, said Hamas “will restore control over this border, in co-operation with Egypt … gradually”. After talking with Egyptian officials on Saturday, Al-Zahar said the closure would only be temporary until the Egyptians could figure out a way to reopen the border.

The democratically-elected Hamas government is not a US/Israeli puppet. Any role Egypt affords to Hamas over the border would amount to tacit recognition of Hamas’ legitimacy. “This is sure to anger Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah, considering they refuse to recognize the rule of Hamas,” said Al Jazeera’s Jacky Rowland, reporting from Gaza. “But it seems that Egypt is concentrating on the realities on the ground - which is Hamas remaining in control of Gaza, which is why they are working with them.”

Occupied Gaza currently depends on Israel for its supplies, but the recent border breach has sparked calls from Hamas President Ismail Haniya for closer ties with Egypt. Haniya wants to end its reliance on Israel and receive fuel and electricity supplies from Egypt. Some Israeli officials back the proposal as it would reduce their legal responsibility for the territory. “We have said from the days of our election campaign that we want to move toward economic disengagement from the Israeli occupation,” Haniya said. “Egypt has a greater ability to meet the needs of Gaza.” Through resisting the occupiers rather than working with them, Hamas seems to be doing for Gaza what Fatah has failed to do for the West Bank.

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