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Egypt opens border with Gaza in both directions for 1st time in 2 months

Xinhua, September 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

Egyptian authorities on Saturday opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip in both directions for the first time in two months, an official said.

Hisham Edwan, head of the operations at the crossing, told Xinhua that the first bus has already left the Palestinian side and those stranded on the crossing can cross back to Gaza.

The Borders Control Commission run by the Islamic Hamas movement in Gaza said the crossing would be open only on Saturday and Sunday and only for those already registered at the Hamas Interior Ministry and humanitarian cases.

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Khan Younis, south of Gaza Strip, to take bus to the crossing.

Deputy Interior Minister Kamel Abu Madi said in a press statement that opening the crossing for only two days is not enough for the registered and humanitarian cases.

Last Tuesday, Egypt opened the borders exceptionally for three days to allow 2,329 Muslim pilgrims to leave Gaza to Saudi Arabia, but did not allow Palestinians to cross back into Gaza.

The last time the crossing was opened in both directions was on June 29 for five days. That was one of four times the borders opened this year.

Gaza's Interior Ministry data says there are over 25,000 humanitarian cases registered for traveling through the border crossing.

The coastal territory, home to some 1.9 million people, has been blockaded by Israel since Islamic Hamas movement seized control of the tiny enclave by force in 2007 after routing troops loyal to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, who now rules the West Bank.

Egypt, which also shares border with Gaza, has been imposing restrictions on opening the Rafah crossing with the enclave after the removal of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013. Endit