EGYPT TO OPEN RAFAH CROSSING FOR 3 DAYS

Bethlehem, 21 Rabi’ul Awwal 1436/12 January 2015 (MINA)– Egyptian authorities have decided to open the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip for three days for special cases, the Palestinian ambassador to Egypt said Sunday.

Jamal al-Shoubaki said in a statement that the crossing would be open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday on both sides.

For the first day, only university students who study abroad will be allowed to cross through to Egypt, al-Shoubaki said, Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Rafah is the principle connection between Palestinians in Gaza and the outside world, and its regular closure is part of the jointly-enforced Israeli-Egyptian blockade on the tiny territory.

The blockade has led to frequent humanitarian crises and armed conflicts with Israel, and is currently limiting the entry of construction material for the devastated Strip’s post-war reconstruction, promised by the international community. (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)