Egypt reopens border with Gaza Strip

2013-08-24 101

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Waiting to cross into Egypt, hundreds of Palestinians queue at the Rafah border post.

The crossing is the main window to the outside world for the Gaza Strip's 1.7 million residents.

Egyptian authorities re-opened the border after a four day closure that left thousands of Palestinians, including students and patients seeking medical treatment, unable to travel.

This Palestinian says that if he is not allowed into Egypt soon he will have to delay his studies at university, costing him extra in fees.

Hamas, an off-shoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has ruled Gaza since 2007 and has an uneasy relationship with Egypt's new army-backed leadership which deposed President Mohamed Mursi on July 3rd.

Egyptian officials have accused Hamas of aiding militants in the Sinai and say poor security conditions are to blame for often long delays at the Rafah crossing.