Q+A: Egypt in tight spot enforcing blockade of Gaza

The burden would be a drain on Egyptian resources and the authorities might find it hard to prevent an influx of Gaza Palestinians seeking work and housing.

In one worst-case scenario Israel might hold Egypt responsible for any attacks on Israel launched from Gaza, forcing Egypt to act as Gaza policeman -- a role fraught with danger. Egypt's presence in Gaza between 1948 and 1967, and its inability to impose full control on Palestinian groups there, helped drag Egypt into war with Israel in 1956 and 1967.

Despite the Egyptian border restrictions, Palestinians have been using a network of tunnels for smuggling between Egypt and Gaza.

THE ISLAMIST FACTOR -- The split between Hamas and the rival Fatah movement reflects the ideological divide between the opposition Muslim Brotherhood movement in Egypt and the Cairo government. Historically Hamas is an offshoot of the Brotherhood and acknowledges the Egypt-based group as its mentor. On the other side the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority has institutions closely modeled on those of the Egyptian state. As one condition for reopening the border, the Egyptian government demands that Hamas recognize the legitimacy and authority of the Palestinian Authority. Egypt also fears that Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood will cooperate behind its back, adding to the internal security threats which are Cairo's main concern. Although Cairo says it is neutral between Hamas and Fatah, officials have made remarks suggesting they are much closer to the Fatah way of thinking.

THE U.S. ALLIANCE -- The United States, without significant dissent from the European Union, has pressed Egypt to maintain the blockade, in the belief that it will weaken Hamas and force it into submission. Egypt, despite reservations about many aspects of U.S. foreign policy, still receives about $1.4 billion a year in U.S. aid and has a strategic alliance with Washington. The Egyptian government has the tacit support of conservative Arab rulers and pays little heed to more confrontational states in the region, such as Syria and Iran.

So what does Cairo want to see happen in Gaza?

Ideally it would like to see reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, with Hamas acting as the junior partner. It has proposed the Palestinians form a non-partisan government of national unity accountable directly to President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Palestinian government would then impose its will throughout its territory, closing down unofficial armed groups and enforcing a truce between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Egyptian government says Israel could help bring about calm by easing the restrictions on Gaza from its side and refraining from disproportionate attacks on Gaza.