Hamas Cedes Gaza Border Crossings to Palestinian Authority Control

Members of Palestinian Authority share a light moment with a Hamas security man (center) at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, after Hamas handed control of the crossing to Palestinian Authority

Gaza, MINA – The Palestinian reconciliation government took over the control of the border crossings in the Gaza Strip as agreed upon during the Cairo accord signed on October 12.

On the sideline of handing over the Rafah crossing, Palestinian Minister of Public works and Housing Mufeed Al-Hassaina was quoted by KUNA as saying that the reconciliation process would continue amongst Palestinian brothers to achieve the dreams of the people of Palestine.

Despite challenges facing the process, Palestinians from various movements, namely Hamas and Fatah, will work on solving their differences.

He revealed that Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah would be visiting the Gaza Strip soon to inspect the procedures at the crossings.

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Meanwhile, spokesman of the former Hamas-run crossings authority Hashem Adwan said that the ease in which the transfer occurred had reflected the Palestinians deepest desire for unity.

He hoped that the process would enable the people living in Gaza to receive food, necessities, as well as medical aid.

The UN on this occasion release a press statement welcoming this new development, affirming that the Palestinian people should carry on their national unity process.

On a similar development, the Palestinian government had lifted custom fees on the crossings, which Hamas imposed during its reign in Gaza.

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In a statement, Prime Minister Hamdallah affirmed that there would be no additional fees collected illegally while running the crossings, affirming that the law will determine the amount of money paid during the use of the facilities. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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