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Controlling Rafah: Gaza and West Bank governments vie for authority over Hajj pilgrims' exit

According to an announcement by the caretaker government in Ramallah on Thursday, however, it has arranged crossing dates for Gazans making the Hajj pilgrimage via Rafah.

On Friday the caretaker government revised the dates that Rafah would be open, but thanked Egypt for opening its border facilities and facilitating the exit of thousands of Hajj pilgrims.

The de facto government interior ministry issued a statement later on Friday saying they had no knowledge of arrangements with Egypt for pilgrims leaving Gaza for Saudi Arabia.

Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs for the Ramallah-based caretaker government Sheikh Jamal Bawatneh confirmed the crossing would be open Saturday through Tuesday.

Haniyeh’s plea came later Friday during his regular appearance at the Gaza City mosque. He gave no indication that arrangements might have already been made to guarantee Gazans passage out of the Strip via Rafah.

The de facto prime minister did, however, note that it would do its best to ensure the smooth passage of pilgrims who registered with either the Gaza City office or the Ramallah office.

This pronouncement came after reservations were made by the de facto government around processing the exit of pilgrims who had applied for travel permits through the Ramallah offices.

During his Friday sermon Haniyeh also spoke about the general effects of the continued closure of the Rafah crossing on Palestinian life in Gaza. He stressed that if Israel wanted a truce with Gazan factions than it would have to abide by the terms of that truce and life the siege.

The Hamas leader also expressed his disappointment over the failure of the Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting to take decisive action and end the siege on Gaza, but nonetheless welcomed the aid supplies entering the area by land and sea from Libya, Syria, Qatar and Turkey.

***Updated 15:54 Bethlehem time

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