3 Thoughts on the Gaza Blockade

A blockade is only as strong as its weakest link. Egypt declared the blockade of Gaza a failure and opened the Rafah crossing indefinitely.

Now, ordinary Gazans have a link to the outside world. But don't think political humanitarian aid flotillas sponsored by the likes of Iran or Hezbollah will necessarily bypass Israel. AP writes:

Egypt will not allow in large cargo shipments or construction material because the terminal is designed primarily as a crossing for travelers, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

So what does this mean? Off the top of my head:

1. Gaza's open to grandstanding politicians and activists willing to travel overland via Egypt. Grip-and-grin solidarity photos with Hamas are valuable in Turkey's domestic political arena. And those images will be  bad news for Mahmoud Abbas and the peace process.
2. The smuggling industry and the income Hamas makes off of tunnel license fees will take a hit now that Palestinians are shopping on the Egyptian side of the border.
3. Oh yeah, it's a lot harder for people to argue that Israel continues to occupy Gaza by virtue of its control over the borders.