AFTER TWO DAYS, EGYPT RECLOSES RAFAH CROSSING

Rafah, 21 Jumadil Awwal 1436/12 March 2015 (MINA) – Egyptian authorities yesterday closed the Rafah Crossing once again, after it had been opened for only two days.

Some 900 Palestinians from Gaza left the coastal enclave while the border crossing was open.

In a statement, Chief of Crossings and Borders Committee in Gaza Maher Abu-Sabha said: “Only 12 buses of travellers could leave the Gaza Strip during two days of work in the Rafah Crossing.

The 12 buses included not more 900 travellers,” Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Thurday (12/3).

He pointed out that 200 of the 900 travellers received special arrangements from the Egyptian authorities.

Abu-Sabha said: “Thousands of residents who are in urgent need to travel could not leave.”

Meanwhile, tens of Palestinians stranded in Egypt or in other countries returned back to the Strip.

Abu-Sabha said contact had been made with the Egyptian authorities to keep the crossing open for longer, however the talks failed.

The Rafah Crossing, which is the main window for the residents of Gaza to the outside world, was opened for two days after 45 consecutive days of closure. (T/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)