Meeting Blinken, Egyptian president criticizes 'collective punishment' in Strip, while continuing to resist accepting large numbers of Palestinians to its territory.

Palestinian groups say Egyptian forces pumped gas into the tunnel; Cairo, which has sought to clamp down on border smuggling, has yet to comment on incident

Congressmen urge a 'full reopening' of border crossings controlled by countries; Jewish state recently eased import restrictions to the coastal enclave following May's war

Tight Israeli-Egyptian blockade, weak ties with PA have resulted in unreliable power, driving up demand for wood in winter

Returning to Cairo as Jerusalem's top diplomat there, Amira Oron says there are plenty of opportunities to broaden ties and sees Egyptians finally warming up to the Jewish state

Rafah terminal to be open for 4 days, allowing hundreds of Palestinians to enter Strip; those returning required to quarantine for 21 days

Egyptian military declines to comment on barrier, which runs along the path of older structure that includes underground fortifications meant to thwart smuggling tunnels