It has been over six months since 16 Egyptian policemen were gunned down at a border post in Rafah. The perpetrators are still unknown and the government insists that investigations are still ongoing. However, a storm of controversial media reports have recently unleashed several conspiracy theories and accusations, with most fingers pointing at Hamas, claiming that Palestinian perpetrators from Gaza were behind the tragic death of our Egyptian policemen.

In the process of unraveling the mystery surrounding any accident or crime, always discipline yourself to use the same treasured logic that psychologists resort to, namely: motivated behavior. Who benefited from the incidents of Rafah? Who will benefit from the disorderly situation in Egypt and getting us from one crisis into the other in a series of endless inundations that seem to have no end?

Hamas, of course, has denied those allegations. But before we too join the chorus of those pointing their fingers at Hamas, we must stop and think about some key questions. Who would benefit from the incident of Rafah? And more importantly, how would Hamas, whose leaders are now being graciously welcomed and received in Egypt and after the people of Gaza can finally (or almost) let out a sigh of relief by the opening of the crossing (which was opened before the advent of Morsi) be suddenly indignant about all these blessings so that it decides to punish itself and its own people with its own hands?

It is difficult to forget that Hamas, perhaps, would never have attempted this outrageous deed during the tyranny of the past regime and their heightened persecution of them. If throwing accusations is now practiced without any shred of deliberation or evidence someone might say, “And why wouldn’t Muhammad Dahlan be involved for instance?”

Many impartial international reports have mentioned things about the Egyptian security bodies harbouring Muhammad Dahlan and some of the elements that are under his allegiance in Egypt while his battle with Hamas was heating up. And not just harbouring, but actually supporting and preparing.

It is also difficult to forget how Egyptian soldiers (at that time) got killed on the borders by Israeli hands. Despite that, Egypt’s discrete reply came staggering as if it was touched by some crippling magic. The caretaker government of Egypt at that time did not succeed in coming up with the response that would satisfy the aspirations of its people. This was also despite the fact that the violation was so blatant and unbeatably infringing. 

At that time I wrote: “Thinking of Gaza as a chronic problem crouching on our chests and making us lose our patience. This practice has unfortunately been the habit of many since the former regime and it still persists till now.”

The Mubarak regime always put Egypt’s strategic alliance with Israel before Gaza and its people. The strip persisted, steadfastly groaning under the showering bullets and missiles one year after the other, while Israel refused to even consider opening a crack in the crossings to let Palestinians out. Of course they were assisted in this by a chorus of media figures who kept describing what is happening on Egypt’s borders as a Palestinian invasion of Sinai.

Gaza could become a strategic dimension for Egypt to help extend our influence to the east rather than entrenching ourselves up at the last borders of the Canal cities, as if Egypt has not budged an inch since 1973. Egypt can certainly balance its interests and hit ten birds with one stone, but this stone has to be thrown by a seasoned expert. If the issue of the tunnels is truly a cause of concern for Egypt and Egyptians, then it is necessary to seriously consider how this issue has been handled and approach it.

The tunnels are not just about sending much needed food and supplies to our brothers and sisters in Gaza – it goes beyond that. It is also a serious security concern, especially when it is being used to smuggle goods, drugs, arms etc. 

Why then, can the government not think outside the box and make the best economic use of this status quo? Egypt can revive its economy and the economy of the entire Gaza Strip if the political leadership takes a bold decision to close all the tunnels and transform the Rafah crossing into a limited free trade zone between the two countries, a zone rich with Egyptian goods, instead of forcing the Gazans to smuggle or use Israeli goods against their will.