Palestinians watch Egypt protests with baited breath (News Feature)

By Sara Lemel Jan 30, 2011, 14:16 GMT

Gaza/Tel Aviv - Dramatic scenes of protest across Egypt, which on Sunday entered their sixth day, have sent shockwaves across the Arab world. The possible fall of Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak would have implications not just within the Egypt but also for its neighbours - such as the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians have been following in Egypt closely. In a cafe in Gaza City a group of young men expressed concern about the unrest.

'We depend on Egypt for so many things in life and it has always been our gateway to the outside world,' says Mohamed al-Shawa. Egypt on Sunday closed the gateway - the Rafah border crossing - pending further notice.

Hamas, the militant Islamist group which rules Gaza, has until now refrained from commenting on events across the border - but the possible ouster of Mubarak and the rise of their ideological cousins, the Muslim Brotherhood, could well be to their benefit.

The Brotherhood, the largest opposition grouping in Egypt though officially banned under Mubarak, did not organize the latest protests. But it could well play a role in shaping a future government if the regime were indeed to fall.

That would be great boon to Hamas, which originally emerged from the group during the first Palestinian Intifada almost a quarter of a century ago and still has close ties to its 'big brother.'

Mubarak on the other hand is regarded by Hamas as being a close ally of arch-enemy Israel. The Islamists cannot forget that Mubarak has supported Israel in its blockade of the Gaza Strip.

'All we want is to see calm and stability return to Egypt and for the Egyptian people to choose their representatives freely and democratically,' Salah al-Bardaweel, a senior Hamas leader says.

Hamas itself won a landslide victory in free and fair elections held five years ago in Palestinian territories. The United States had insisted they take place, despite the concerns of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.

But the protests in Egypt could be a double-edged sword for Hamas. If they spill over into the still-blockaded Gaza Strip, they could be turned against the strict Islamic regime, with which many Gazans are disappointed.

Until now, the protests have had a negative effect on daily life for the Palestinians. The stream of goods smuggled through tunnels under the Egyptian border has all but stopped since Hamas on Friday reportedly gave orders to close down the tunnels.

'I'm very worried about fuel, we're afraid that the supply of fuel from Egypt will be cut off,' says al-Shawa sitting in the Gazan cafe.

Long queues were forming at petrol stations on Sunday as Gazans attempted to buy up the last stores of cheap petrol - fuel from Israel is six times more expensive.

Hamas' Interior Ministry attempted to reassure the population on Sunday, saying there was enough food and fuel in the enclave and therefore no need to panic.

Many Palestinians are sympathetic towards the Egyptian protesters' cause. Every nation has the right to elect its leaders freely and to seek a better quality of life, says another young coffee-drinker, Ahmed Abu Sido.

'If the regime in Egypt collapses, I believe that all Arab regimes will follow,' he adds. Author: Sara Lemel

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