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Gaza's Rafah border will reopen, Egyptian official says

Egypt closed the border in April 2014 due to growing tension with the Hamas-controlled government in Gaza.

By Ed Adamczyk
Col. Jamal Jarrah, right, a commander of Palestinian security forces, patrols the border area between Gaza and Egypt on March 5. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI
1 of 4 | Col. Jamal Jarrah, right, a commander of Palestinian security forces, patrols the border area between Gaza and Egypt on March 5. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo

CAIRO, March 5 (UPI) -- The border between Egypt and Gaza at Rafah will be reopened after its control passes to the Palestinian Authority.

Egypt closed the border in April 2014 due to growing tension with the Hamas-controlled government in Gaza.

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Wael Attia, Egyptian ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, said the key to reopening the border permanently is implementation of an agreement made before a unity government of Hamas and PA leaders.

Gaza's Interior Ministry has been reinforcing security on the Egypt-Gaza border with sandbags and other protective installations to impose tighter control. The ministry claims Egyptian troops opened fire at checkpoints throughout the border earlier this year, a claim the Egyptian army denies.

Relations between Egypt and Hamas, a partner of the Muslim brotherhood, worsened after the removal of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

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