Hamas rejects Gaza crossings agreement, Sharon, Abbas welcome it

The Islamic resistance movement Hamas rejected the agreement reached on opening the Fatah crossing in Gaza, and described it as constituting a violation of sovereignty and national integrity.

In a statement, Hamas regreted the Palestinian authority acceptance of opening the crossing agreement and for claiming it as a big achievement. It said that the agreement converts Gaza into a big jail in which, countries, it called "dominant states", control all comers and goers who enter or leave it, besides Israel is able to monitor all movement of the people of Gaza.

In its statement, Hamas stressed that this agreement confirms that the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza was not complete and that the sovereignty in its area is still in the hands of Israel.

For its part, the Palestinian authority, on behalf of the spokesman for the presidency Nabil Abu Rudeinah welcomed the agreement and said it will facilitate the life of the Palestinians and their way of life.

For his part, the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon welcomed the agreement, commending the positive role played by the European Union to achieve it. This was expressed in a joint press conference held between Sharon and the foreign policy coordinator in the European Union Javier Solana who said that, thanks this agreement, the Palestinians control for the first time a international border with the outer world.

Solana explained that EU observes led by one Italian general will be deployed in Rafah to ensure honoring the protocol signed between the Israelis and the Palestinians.