The Palestinian group Hamas on March 18 called Egypt’s curbs on movement through its crossing with the Gaza Strip a “crime against humanity”, in an unprecedented rebuke of its Arab neighbour that further frays their worsening ties. The closures have cut off imports of medicine and aid to the impoverished coastal enclave and prevented travel by thousands of Gazans and patients seeking treatment abroad.
Usually open for four to six days per month, the Rafah crossing has now been shut to normal passenger traffic for 40 straight. Egypt has banned all Hamas activities in the country, accusing it of supporting an insurgency that has spread quickly, targeting security forces near daily, since Morsi’s fall, allegations the Palestinian group denies.