Egypt Opens Border With Gaza Temporarily, First Time in 2018

EL-ARISH, Egypt (AP) —
Hamas security officers stand guard in front of the main gate of the Rafah border crossing while passengers cross the border to the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing with Egypt, in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Nov. 2017. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Egyptian officials say the country has opened its border with the Gaza Strip for the first time this year.

The two officials said Wednesday the Rafah crossing point would operate for three days on a humanitarian basis. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to brief the media.

The Palestinian embassy in Cairo confirmed the opening of Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world.

Thousands of Gaza residents are on travel lists — most of them medical patients, students and holders of residency permits of other countries. Only a few thousand will make it out in the time allotted.

The announcement comes amid warnings of a health-care crisis in Gaza, home to two million people.

Egypt has kept Rafah mostly closed since Hamas took over the territory in 2007.

To Read The Full Story

Are you already a subscriber?
Click to log in!