GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinians have been wondering if Hamas is trying to replace the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom commercial crossing with the Egypt-controlled Rafah land crossing, which is currently dedicated to individuals only. Kerem Shalom is considered the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to receive humanitarian goods.

Palestinian protesters on May 11 raided the Kerem Shalom crossing east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, and set it on fire during the Great Return March, which began March 30. Hamas, which controls the security services in the Gaza Strip, didn't prevent the incident, which raises questions about the movement’s goal. Previously, the same crossing had been burned on May 4 and after some repairs, it reopened May 6.

After Kerem Shalom was burned, Egypt opened on May 12 the Rafah land crossing, about 2 miles from Kerem Shalom, as an alternative. Dozens of trucks carrying construction materials, fuel and foodstuffs entered the Rafah crossing. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on May 18 ordered that Rafah remain open throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan for individuals and for trucks bringing in humanitarian aid.

The Gaza Strip is linked to three crossings: the Israel-controlled Erez crossing for individuals, the Israel-controlled Kerem Shalom commercial crossing and the Egypt-controlled Rafah land crossing for individuals. Egypt also allows commercial trucks to enter Gaza through the Saladin gate, next to the Rafah crossing entrance, as per previous agreements reached with Hamas during repeated meetings in Cairo in the past few months.