UN Special Coordinator welcomes return of Gaza strips

CAIRO – 1 November 2017: UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay E. Mladenov welcomes the full return of the Gaza crossings to the control of the Palestinian authority, he stated on Wednesday.

This return is a landmark development in the implementation of the intra-Palestinian agreement, signed in Cairo on October 12, Mladenov stated; adding that the Palestinian government should have full control over Gaza.

“The return of the crossings should facilitate the lifting of the closures, while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns, and unlocking increased international support for Gaza’s reconstruction, growth, stability and prosperity,” he noted.

He further referred that he would take this opportunity to remind all the factions in Gaza to preserve security and end the militant activities that undermine peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.

“The United Nations will continue to work with the Palestinian leadership, Egypt and the region in support of this process, which is critical for reaching a negotiated two-state solution and sustainable peace,” stressed Mladenov.

The Palestinian authority started officially receiving the administrative affairs of the Gaza borders on Wednesday, in accordance with the terms of the reconciliation deal reached in Cairo last month.

The borders to be delivered are the Rafah border, Karam Abu Salem crossing, and Beit Hanoun crossing.

According to Palestinian media outlets, Gaza’s former authority used to oversee the crossing before conducting the Fatah and Hamas reconciliation under Egypt's sponsorship.

However, after the reconciliation agreement that was signed in Cairo on October 12, all borders in the Gaza Strip will be handed to the government including Erez, Rafah, and Kerem Shalom.