Egypt and Hamas have agreed to increase Egypt’s fuel supplies to Gaza and “commercial exchanges” to alleviate the blockade on Gaza, Hamas’ chief of financial affairs Yousif Al-Kayyali said, according to Maan News Agency. The measures include new policies being implemented at the Rafah border crossing with regards to the passage of both people and goods. Al-Kayyali also said that delegations from the group will be visiting Egypt over the coming period to follow up on the agreements. A Fatah leader had claimed that Egypt agreed to open the Rafah crossing only in the presence of Palestinian Authority (PA) forces, while Hamas maintains Egypt said it would open the crossing normally come September. Egypt and Hamas have been warming up to each other as of late, with Egypt sending fuel shipments to Gaza and agreeing to supply Hamas with security equipment. However, Cairo is also trying to maintain a balance in its relations with Hamas and its rival, the PA, which is headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

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