By Daisy Ayliffe - 16th November 2005
Israel and Palestine have agreed to open an international border crossing between Gaza and Egypt later this month.
The deal - struck on Tuesday - will give Palestinians control over an EU monitored border crossing for the first time since 1967 and was hailed a breakthrough by Europe and the US.
"This agreement is intended to give the Palestinian people freedom to move, to trade, to live ordinary lives," US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice told journalists in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
The crossing is scheduled to be up and running by November 25 and the EU insists it is ready to take up its responsibilities.
“The European role as a third party will not replace the Palestinian role,” EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana stressed on Tuesday.
“We are ready. We have the plans already done and prepared and by the end of the month will be in a condition to take the full responsibility and have the border function.”
“I hope very much it will be a successful operation. It’s not an easy task, but it will be successful and it will contribute for the first time to Palestinians to have from Gaza a border open and controlled by them with a third party there to go to Egypt, “ he added.
While Israel will indirectly keep an eye on who enters or leaves Gaza from a control room a few kilometres away from the border post – EU monitors will have the final say on any disagreements.
Hamas rejection
But the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) rejected the agreement on Wednesday - saying it damaged Palestinian sovereignty.
"The Israelis have the ability to observe the Palestinians or any visitors via the Rafah crossing through cameras and through the joint control room," a Hamas statement said.
Transport links
Under the deal work is also set to begin on the delayed Gaza seaport, although Israel does not yet want Gaza airport to be reopened.
A direct link with the West Bank in the form of special bus convoys will also be established under the proposals.
For the Palestinians this link is economically important but it also reaffirms that Gaza and the West Bank are one single Palestinian territory.
The deal has significant political ramifications and was reluctantly accepted by Israeli President Ariel Sharon who insists he will not resume stalled peace negotiations until the Palestinian Authority dismantles and disarms Hamas.
The US and EU hope the deal will provide a boost to Gaza's economy whilst also strengthening Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas ahead of parliamentary elections next year.
Gaza will be seen a test for how the Palestinians would handle an independent state.
American involvement
The Bush administration has been accused of taking a lethargic approach to the Isreal-Palestine issue but US diplomats said a growing sense of urgency in the region made this deal essential.
"A lot of diplomacy is about when things are ripe for movement," one senior State Department official explained.
"There was the sense that now was the time to really capitalize on the situation."
Rice delayed her departure from Jerusalem to illustrate just how much a deal meant to her and many say American intervention signals a more pro-active US role in the area.
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