Hamas began handing control of Gaza’s border crossings with Egypt and Israel to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, following the agreement brokered by Egypt recently. “Palestinian Authority employees moved into Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings on the Israeli border and Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border, as their Hamas counterparts packed up equipment and departed on trucks,” Reuters reports.

… separately, Amos Harel says Israel has Egypt to thank for Hamas not retaliating after Israel blew up a tunnel that was being built into Israeli territories, in a piece for Haaretz. “Egypt is the main reason for Palestinian restraint at the moment. If the quiet continues, it will help show that Egypt, which has been shepherding a reconciliation agreement between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, has been able to reign in the sides.” Harel says it was important for Egypt to ensure that the transfer of control of the border crossings was completed successfully.