A day after Israel invades northern Gaza, Egypt says it will open its border with Gaza.
Egypt will allow aid convoys to enter Gaza. Prior to the Egyptian Revolution, Egyptian President Mubarak closed the border, in cooperation with Israel.
Mubarak’s government also worked with Israel to keep Hamas and Fatah separated. The new transitional government of Egypt worked to bring Hamas and Fatah together, which greatly angered Israel.
The first aid convoys are planned to cross the Gaza border on May 15 (the anniversary of the Nakba, Israeli occupation of Palestinian land).
Israeli ground troops have invaded the northern half of Gaza, Wednesday, May 11. Reports say troops, tanks and armored bulldozers are advancing towards Gaza City.
Israeli officials say they are destroying “possible tunnels”. Palestinians think the Israelis are trying to provoke action by Gazans, that would then be used to justify a larger military operation.
Recently Hamas and Fatah unified, a move deplored by the Israeli government. Israel responded by withholding Palestinian taxes (which Israel controls) from the government of Palestine.