Hamas proposes 3-point plan for the Rafah crossing

Hamas has proposed a three-point proposal for the operation of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, its senior official in Lebanon revealed yesterday.

“We proposed a clear plan,” Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera. “It consists of three points: the first is to consider it as an Arab-Arab passage so as it should remain open permanently for the Palestinians and Egyptians.”

The second point, he explained, is the establishment of a free trade zone at the crossing to boost commercial activity between the Palestinians in Gaza and Egypt. The intention would be to cut down or stop altogether the current economic links to the Israeli occupation authorities.

“We should also reach a security understanding to avoid negative consequences for any open relations between the two sides which could harm either Palestinians or Egyptians,” added Hamdan.

In closing, he expressed the hope that the deteriorating security and economic situation in Egypt recovers soon and the people achieve their objectives.