Rafah Crossing
Photo: AP
Palestinians: Rafah crossing to open Friday
Crossing in south Gaza has been closed for all but three days since terrorists tunneled into Israel, captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit; reopening to give Palestinians on both sides of Gaza-Egypt border rare opportunity to cross
Palestinian officials said Friday that the Gaza Strip’s border crossing with Egypt is to open on Friday, giving thousands of people stranded on both sides a rare opportunity to cross.
Nazmi Muhana, director of the Palestinian border authority, said the Rafah crossing would be open to incoming and outgoing traffic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“This is a result of intensive efforts by European monitors with the Egyptians and Israelis,” he said.
The Rafah crossing has been closed for all but three days since Palestinian terrorists tunneled into Israel, captured an Israeli soldier and brought him back to the Gaza Strip on June 25.
Gateway to the outside world
Thousands of people have been stranded on each side, including people who need to leave Gaza for medical care, studies or jobs in other countries.
Rafah is Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world. Under a US-brokered agreement, Israel turned over control of the border to the Palestinians after withdrawing from Gaza last year.
To ease Israeli security concerns, the Palestinian side of the crossing is monitored by a team from the European Union, while Israeli authorities observe the crossing with video cameras.
Israel has frequently issued security alerts in the area, keeping monitors from reaching the crossing and preventing it from opening. One such alert was issued shortly before the soldier was abducted in June.
