Why Egypt remains reluctant to open Rafah crossing to Gaza

Egypt has long played a role as a mediator in the conflict not just between Israel and the Palestinians, but also between the main Palestinian factions themselves.

It was the first Arab state to make peace with Israel back in 1978 - after fighting several wars with the Jewish state.

Now, the focus is on Egypt's control of one of the two land routes out of the Gaza Strip - the Rafah crossing.

Thousands of Palestinians are waiting on the Gaza side of the border, while hundreds of lorries carrying...