Rafah / PNN – Hamas leader Mahmoud Az Zahar returned from the Cairo meetings via the Rafah crossing Saturday afternoon where a major demonstration was underway with thousands of people present and feminists leading the way. The women demanded that the Rafah border remain open under the new agreement, and that the previous agreement be abolished as it was deemed unfair to the Palestinian people.

Az Zahar is the ousted Foreign Minister of the Hamas party and was a member of the delegation that met with Egyptian officials regarding control of the border. With him was Said Siyam, the ousted Interior Minister. They left Gaza on Wednesday for the talks which included Hamas political leader in exile, Khalid Mashal.

Az Zahar offered an apology in Cairo regarding what happened at the Egyptian border with Gaza, pointing out that the Palestinians will work in gradual cooperation with Egyptian security.

He told reporters from amidst the crowds in the southern Strip this afternoon, “We will work to control the border between Egypt and Rafah, and it must be done gradually. We will try to cooperate with the Egyptians to be unified and to not allow interference by outside parties.”
 
Zahhar pointed out that a working agreement had been reached with the Egyptians on a local level which will be implemented on Sunday. Another meeting will take place tomorrow, headed by the ousted Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.