Their uncertain circumstances have come to reflect the complex politics between Cairo, Tel Aviv, the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and Palestinian resistance faction Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"The crisis on the border is just a part of the ongoing power struggle between Fatah and Hamas," Gamal Zahran, political science professor at Suez Canal University and independent MP, told IPS.

The Rafah crossing has traditionally served as the sole transit point along Egypt's 14 km border with the Gaza Strip. In June, however, days before control of the strip was wrested from Fatah by Hamas, Cairo -- citing security concerns -- sealed the Rafah terminal.

The closure effectively eliminated the territory's only sovereign border crossing. Virtually all other routes in or out of the Gaza Strip, by sea or land, are under the strict control of the Israeli authorities.

Recently dubbed a "hostile" region by Tel Aviv, the Gaza Strip remains subject to a crippling, almost two-year-long embargo that has largely destroyed its economy. Backed by Israel and the US, both of which consider Hamas a "terrorist organization," the siege has deprived the territory -- home to more than 1.5 million people -- of badly-needed moneys and vital supplies.

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