Hamas administration of Gaza on Thursday said it doesn't mind the return of European Union (EU) monitors to Rafah border crossing in line with 2005 international deal.
Taher al-Nounou, spokesman for the deposed administration, added that the government also welcomes the return of "civilian employees" of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the crossing point with Egypt.
However, the Hamas government said the EU monitors' role "should not be obstructive."
The Islamic movement also denied the EU monitors the right to decide when the crossing should be opened or closed, arguing that it "may affect the people's freedom of movement."
In contrast with the cautious welcome to the return of EU monitors, Hamas categorically rejected the return of Israelis.
"There is a national consensus, even from our brothers in Fatah, that the Israelis can not return to oversee the operations at the crossing point," al-Nounou said.
Israel used to monitor the crossing point via cctv cameras while the EU monitors and pro-Abbas security forces were deployed on the crossing before it was closed in June as a result of Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas failed to reopen the crossing since pro-Abbas forces cannot be deployed under the status quo that Hamas solely ruled Gaza without existence of Abbas' Fatah, even so Hamas is still reluctant to welcome the return of the pro-Abbas forces in addition to the "civilian employees."
Source: Xinhua
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