(Image Source: Free Gaza Movement)
BY ADNAN S. KHAN
ANCHOR JIM FLINK
You're watching multisource world news analysis from Newsy.
After a four-year blockade -- Egypt has reopened its borders to Gaza in order to ease the humanitarian crisis. According to ITN -- some 300 people passed through the Rafah crossing in the first hour.
“The move, which is expected to raise Israel’s objection, suggested a further policy shift since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. Palestinians who arrived at the crossing expressed satisfaction at the only gateway for Gazans to the world.”
But France 24 says the total number passing through was smaller than expected, mostly because people in Gaza are still in disbelief.
“I have been told a lot of people from town are adopting a wait and see attitude. They want to see how this thing unfolds. A lot of people have been denied so many times, the possibility to travel across this border, that they were actually very skeptical about this.”
The Jerusalem Post reports -- Israel is concerned about the transfer of weapons through the pass.
And that its opening weakens Israel’s position in the world. It quotes an opposition party leader in Israel as saying...
“The breaking of the blockade, with no coordination with Israel, and against its will, constitutes a diplomatic failure of the Netanyahu government - that because of its diplomatic weakness and inability to create coordination and cooperation with international parties, has left Israel isolated, in a position of weakened security…”
The joint blockade was established by Egypt and Israel in 2007, under the rule of now-ousted leader Hosni Mubarak. But a writer for TIME says the blockade failed long before this week.
“Its purpose had been not simply to prevent arms from entering the territory, but to topple Hamas. And it effectively achieved neither.”
Regardless, a UN spokesperson tells RT -- the opening of the border will provide Gaza people with opportunity – and opportunity could lead to a less violent Gaza.
“There are more than one and a half million people here. They are completely – you know – destroyed, have no hope, no political horizon, no economical horizon. Israel shall end the siege on the Gaza strip 100 percent. If people have good lives here – they’ve something to lose – it will be, you know, great pressure on others not to get into conflict.”
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