Thousands of Gazans breach border with Egypt

Thousands of Gazans crossed over the border with Egypt early today, after a section of the border barrier was blown up by gunmen. These events represent the realisation of a scenario feared by the Egyptian regime, but Egyptian soldiers made no serious attempt at stemming the flow of people into Sinai. The crossings between Israel and Gaza remain sealed, meanwhile, and according to Israeli media reports, there are no plans to reopen them in the immediate future. However, Israel plans to allow emergency supplies to reach Gaza when necessary in order avoid a potential humanitarian crisis and international criticism. Fuel, medical supplies and food supplies were allowed to enter Gaza yesterday, but officials have made clear that for as long as Qassam rockets continue to be fired at Israel, there is no chance that the former levels of aid supply to Gaza will be renewed. 

Many analysts are debating this morning whether Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak's decision to lift the fuel embargo imposed on the strip two days after it was imposed, marks a public-relation victory to Hamas. Indeed, international pressure was mounting following the closure of Gaza City's only power plant, a closure imposed by Hamas and not forced by an actual shortage in fuel. As reported yesterday, Israeli leaders received urgent calls from their counterparts around the world and Israeli diplomats were called to explain Israel latest steps. A condemnation by the UN Security Council was prevented only after intense US efforts, though criticism of Israel's actions is expected to be launched in an upcoming meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Israel is indeed fighting Hamas both on the ground and in the international public arena. Hamas acknowledges the possible advantage it can make out of cynical use of images and through a deliberate intensification of suffering in the strip, as was exemplified by the closure of Gaza's power plant. However, if the economic embargo on Gaza fails and rockets will continue to pose a daily threat to Israeli communities in the western Negev, Israel will be forced to take further military actions on the ground, in the form of a large-scale operation. According to all assessments, this will obviously cause further casualties on both sides and will not provide a long-term solution. A Palestinian willingness to cease terror activities and engage in a constructive, non-violent process will improve the harsh reality suffered daily by Palestinians and Israelis.

Back to top Previous article Next article