Free Republic

An unusual exchange of fire occured this morning (Monday) between IDF forces and soldiers of the Egyptian army in the Rafah Crossing area. During the incident, an Egyptian soldier was killed and several others were injured. There were no casualties among the IDF forces. Israeli officials stated that the incident began when an Egyptian soldier opened fire at IDF troops, who then returned fire. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated, "A few hours ago (Monday), a shooting incident occurred on the Egyptian border. The incident is under review and discussions are being held with the Egyptians." .....

The Israeli navy is heling the US recover ships that stabilized President Biden's $320 million pier Aid began flowing into the Gaza Strip from southern Israel on Sunday, after a U.S.-made "floating pier" on the Mediterranean Sea was damaged by weather. The new aid deployment is flowing through southern Israel due to disagreements with Egypt. The IDF has taken over the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, which has typically been used for transporting aid throughout the conflict. Egypt closed its side of the border when Israel took control of the Gazan side of the crossing, and says it will...

Hamas has been stopping Americans from leaving Gaza through the Rafah crossing to Egypt, even though Cairo has agreed to let US citizens cross into the country, the White House said Sunday.... CNN spoke to several Gaza residents Saturday who said they tried to leave via the Rafah crossing but were eventually turned away.

Egypt, the other country besides Israel that borders Gaza, moved quickly this week to fortify its border and prevent a flood of Palestinians from entering Egyptian territory during Israel’s counteroffensive against Hamas. The Israeli military suggested on Tuesday that Palestinians who do not wish to be used as human shields by the Hamas terrorists should flee across the Egyptian border. Israeli Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Hecht rescinded that advice later on Tuesday. “Clarification: The Rafah crossing was open yesterday, but now it’s closed,” Hecht said. The Rafah crossing was evidently shut down because Israel dropped several bombs near it. The Israeli Defense...

Arab news sources reported Wednesday that Egypt has agreed to open the crossing between it and Gaza at Rafah, on the condition that the Gazan side be supervised by the Palestinian Authority under Mahmoud Abbas, and not by Hamas. Hamas has reportedly agreed to this, mostly because the it is now a part of the PA government, since joining Abbas's Fatah in a unity coalition. Abbas is supposed to serve as the link between Egypt and Israel regarding Gaza, according to the reports. It was also agreed that a conference would be held next month in Norway, to collect funds...

Friday, November 25, 2005 Opening Rafah: A Recipe For Disaster Today the border crossing at Rafah was opened with much fanfare and very positive news coverage worldwide. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the occasion which will give the Palestinians a border with Egypt free of Israeli supervision. Perhaps ominous were some of President Abbas' comments, in particular: The achievement we are celebrating today belongs first and foremost to the martyrs, wounded, prisoners, and all Palestinians who have sacrificed plenty in this struggle. Why is this ominous? He credits the intidafa and the...