Egypt Closes Rafah Crossing After 3-Day Opening

Cairo, 10 Jumadil Akhir 1438/9 March 2017 (MINA) – Egyptian authorities on Thursday decided to re-close the Rafah border crossing after the terminal was opened exceptionally for three consecutive days for humanitarian cases.

Spokesman for the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, Wael Abu Omar, affirmed that the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah crossing after 12 buses managed to leave the coastal enclave to Egypt on Wednesday, the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) reported.

It remained open, however, on Thursday morning for those returning to the Strip.

The Palestinian borders and crossings committee said in a statement Thursday morning that 2,058 passengers left the besieged Strip during the three-day opening. In addition, 1,961 passengers arrived into the Gaza Strip.

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However, 194 passengers were denied entry to Egypt without being given a justification.

The crossing was opened with Gaza for three days starting Monday to allow passage for humanitarian cases and others stuck on either side of the border.

The crossing remained open in both directions until late Wednesday. Humanitarian cases, including students studying abroad, patients, and visa holders were allowed to cross the borders.(T/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)