Skip to main content

The declining relationship between Hamas, Egypt

Many issues are adding fuel to the fiery relations between Hamas and Egypt.

RTSUDT.jpg
A Palestinian woman holds a poster depicting one of four members of Hamas' armed wing who were abducted in Egypt last month, during a protest calling for their release at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and southern Gaza Strip, Sept. 13, 2015. — REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

The unstable relationship between Egypt and Hamas in Gaza is unlikely to improve soon, as new pressures join long-standing tensions between the two. Even news that most consider positive — that the Rafah crossing could be reopening — is causing friction.

Egypt’s ongoing closure of the Rafah crossing is a particularly sensitive issue. The Ministry of Interior in Gaza announced Oct. 16 that the number of people who need to travel through the crossing has reached more than 25,000 people since the beginning of 2015, as Egypt has only opened the crossing for 19 intermittent days this year.

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in