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| Egypt set to ease Gaza border crossing at Rafah | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Egypt is set to ease the restrictions at its border with Gaza, allowing more Palestinians to cross. | |
| Women and children will be allowed to cross freely, as will men aged over 40. Men aged between 18 and 40 will still require a permit. | Women and children will be allowed to cross freely, as will men aged over 40. Men aged between 18 and 40 will still require a permit. |
| Egypt and Israel have blockaded the Gaza Strip since the militant Hamas movement took power there. | Egypt and Israel have blockaded the Gaza Strip since the militant Hamas movement took power there. |
| Israel fears weapons will be imported into Gaza, but Egypt insists it will conduct thorough searches. | Israel fears weapons will be imported into Gaza, but Egypt insists it will conduct thorough searches. |
| The easing of restrictions at the Rafah border crossing is scheduled to begin at 0900 local time (0700 GMT) on Saturday. | |
| Severe shortages | Severe shortages |
| The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says the move is another sign of Egypt's changing policy towards Israel and the Palestinians since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February. | The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says the move is another sign of Egypt's changing policy towards Israel and the Palestinians since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February. |
| Although the border will still be closed for trade, the opening of the Rafah crossing is expected to provide a major economic boost to Gaza. | Although the border will still be closed for trade, the opening of the Rafah crossing is expected to provide a major economic boost to Gaza. |
| Previously, only about 300 Palestinians were allowed out every day. | Previously, only about 300 Palestinians were allowed out every day. |
| The latest move comes a month after Egypt pushed through a unity deal between the two main Palestinian factions - Fatah and Hamas - something Israel also opposed. | The latest move comes a month after Egypt pushed through a unity deal between the two main Palestinian factions - Fatah and Hamas - something Israel also opposed. |
| Fatah runs the West Bank, while Hamas governs Gaza. | Fatah runs the West Bank, while Hamas governs Gaza. |
| Analysts say that with elections looming in Egypt the new policy is likely be popular with a public largely sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. | Analysts say that with elections looming in Egypt the new policy is likely be popular with a public largely sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. |
| Egypt's co-operation in blockading Gaza was one of President Mubarak's most unpopular policies. | Egypt's co-operation in blockading Gaza was one of President Mubarak's most unpopular policies. |
| Egypt says the crossing will be open from 0900 to 2100 every day except Fridays and holidays. | |
| Last year, Israel eased restrictions on goods entering Gaza, but severe shortages in the territory remain. | Last year, Israel eased restrictions on goods entering Gaza, but severe shortages in the territory remain. |
| In 2010, the International Committee of the Red Cross said the blockade was a clear violation of international humanitarian law. | In 2010, the International Committee of the Red Cross said the blockade was a clear violation of international humanitarian law. |
| Hundreds of smuggling tunnels run under the Egyptian border with Gaza. | Hundreds of smuggling tunnels run under the Egyptian border with Gaza. |