RAFAH, Gaza Strip — The border area between Gaza and Egypt that stretches for 14 kilometers (nine miles) seems totally calm — a far cry from the warnings of the Palestinian and Egyptian media about mounting tension and a security situation that is likely to explode.
On the Egyptian side, soldiers move about in their military patrol vehicles without any fear, while on the Palestinian side the National Security Force soldiers in charge of securing the area wave their hands to salute the soldiers across the border.
Al-Monitor’s correspondent saw this scene as she traveled from the midpoint of the border — where the headquarters of the National Security Force, affiliated with Interior Ministry of Gaza, is located — west to the maritime border along the Mediterranean sea. She then went the other direction, to the Rafah crossing. The Karam Abu Salem commercial crossing is the last point on the border with Egypt, where people are not allowed access. Al-Monitor was only allowed to tour the border with permission from Gaza’s Ministry of Interior, which sent a minder to accompany her.
According to the latest media reports quoting Ahmed Wasfi, the commander of the Second Army of the Egyptian armed forces in the Sinai, “Jihadists are present in the Gaza Strip, and they are downplaying the role of Egypt there.” He warned them of the wrath of the Egyptian army.
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