Gaza hopes for improved Rafah crossing

The undersecretary in the Gaza government, Kamel Abu Madi, said Monday, that Mohammed Morsi's victory in Egypt's presidential election was a "defining moment in the history of the Palestinian cause". Madi said in a statement: “By this win, Egypt regains its leading role in the leadership of the Arab and Islamic nations to reinforce support for the Palestinian cause in particular, and the Arab nations' issues in general.” The interior official congratulated Morsi and the Egyptian people, saying the electoral victory was a sign of the success of the January 25 revolution. "The stability of Egypt is an essential element for the Palestinian cause," he said. He added that Palestinians who happily took to the streets raising Egyptian and Palestinian flags hoped Morsi's victory would reflect positively on the Gaza Strip through the lifting of the Israel-imposed siege during the reign of the former regime. and would enhance passage through the Rafah crossing. Madi said he was "confident the president-elect will mitigate against the blockade imposed on Gaza and permanently open the [Rafah] crossing to support the Palestinian people". In related developments, Egyptian authorities decided Monday, to open the Rafah crossing in both directions in conjunction with the closure of Karam Abu Salim crossing by Israel. Lt Col Ayoub Abu Shaar, the head of the Rafah crossing, told Arabstoday: “The Egyptian side informed us of the opening of the Rafah crossing for travellers today in both directions.”