Fatah: Egypt Concessions Agreed Before Mursi Elected

Egypt’s concessions to ease life in Gaza were agreed before President Muhammad Mursi was elected, Fatah leader Azzam al-Ahmad said Monday.

Egypt has agreed to increase fuel deliveries to Gaza and extend the operating hours of the Rafah crossing on its border with the coastal enclave.

Al-Ahmad told Ma’an that the measures were agreed before the Egyptian elections, but that President Mahmoud Abbas had asked for further help from Mursi during the presidents’ recent meeting in Cairo.

The details of Egypt’s measures were discussed with relevant officials from Gaza, he added.

Mursi met separately with Abbas, Hamas chief Khalid Mashaal and Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Cairo in July.

Meanwhile, al-Ahmad said national reconciliation talks were frozen and would not resume until Hamas allowed the Central Elections Commission to work in Gaza.

Hamas is refusing to allow the commission to prepare for elections in the Gaza Strip.