RAFAH AND HOW ISRAEL WILL REACT:

Egypt has stated for several months now they were going to reopen the entrance to Gaza at Rafah and now it appears it’s going to happen.

So what does it mean?

To Israel it is just another indicator of the changing relationship with Egypt.

It also means the tolerance of Hamas is going to shrink.

For Egypt it is a calculated risk that could draw the reaction of the US.

Egypt needs financial support and even if the President wants to give it to them, it must still make it past Congress.

For Hamas, it’s a classic example of ‘be careful what you ask for’.

So, will the Rafah become a benchmark event?

It’s hard to tell, but I will assure everyone it’s a dangerous indicator of where things are heading.

The question becomes, does anyone other than Egypt try to take advantage of the event?

We must assume Hamas knew of the pending announcement before Egypt went public.

We must assume Hamas and Egypt, by way of the MB, have a plan for this event.

Does the fact that Egypt decided to open this point into Gaza indicate the influence of the MB in Egyptian government?

Remember, there is no love between the Egyptian military and the MB; or at lease there didn’t use to be?