Palestinians gather at the Rafah Border Crossing as they wait to travel into Egypt after opening the passage for three days for humanitarian cases, in the southern Gaza Strip April 12, 2018 - AFP / SAID KHATIB
CAIRO – 21 June 2018: The Rafah Border Crossing, which is the only crossing between Gaza and Egypt's Sinai, will continue to operate until further notice, according to an official statement.
A Rafah Border Crossing official said on Tuesday that the crossing will stay open until Eid Al-Adha, one of the most important religious feasts, which will start this year on August 21, according to Egyptian media reports, adding that the crossing is being prepared to open permanently.
Palestinian Ambassador in Cairo, Diab al-Louh, expressed his gratitude for President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Egyptian authorities for the decision, reiterating that the Egyptian leadership’s decision to ease the burdens of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip comes within the framework of Egypt’s continuous efforts to back the Palestinian people.
Louh affirmed that the crossing still receives travelers in both directions and that Egypt still opens its doors to the injured Palestinians, treating them in Egyptian hospitals.
President Sisi directed in May to take the necessary measures to keep the Rafah Border Crossing open throughout the holy month of Ramadan that ended on June 14.
“I issued directives to take the necessary measures to keep the Rafah Border Crossing open throughout the holy month of Ramadan in a bid to relieve some of the burdens suffered by our brothers in the Gaza strip,” the Egyptian leader posted on Facebook and Twitter.
The Rafah crossing is mainly specialized for individual movements across borders, and was being prepared for the transfer of goods between the two countries.
The Egyptian government usually opens the crossing for humanitarian cases and the transfer of food and humanitarian aid to Gaza strip.
Palestinians gather at the Rafah Border Crossing as they wait to travel into Egypt after opening the passage for three days for humanitarian cases, in the southern Gaza Strip April 12, 2018 - AFP / SAID KHATIB
On May 14, Egypt dispatched humanitarian aid, food and medical supplies to Gaza while keeping the Rafah crossing open for individuals and those injured in the Israeli attacks on the strip.
The importance of Rafah Border Crossing increased after Israeli forces destroyed Yasser Arafat International Airport in 2001; which was the only airport allowing Palestinians to travel.
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