RAFAH CROSSING CLOSED FOR THE SIXTH DAY IN A ROW

Rafah, 11 Dzulqa’idah 1434/17 September 2013 (MINA) – Egyptian authorities have been closing Rafah border crossing for the sixth day in a row, Palestinian Ministry of Interior – Gaza reported.

The director of Crossing Authorities, Maher Abu Sabha, said in a statement that in case the crossing opens the ministry will inform Palestinian residents through different media sources and the ministry’s website.

Abu Sabha indicated that the Palestinian side presented a proposal to the Egyptian counterpart to solve the problem of dozens of passengers stranded at the Rafah crossing.

Rafah crossing was closed on Aug. 15th after nationwide violence and then partially reopened two days later only to be closed again following an attack in Sinai which killed 25 Egyptian soldiers.

Also Read: European Legal Scholars Defend BDS Right for Freedom of Expression

The Rafah terminal was closed earlier last week after a car bomb outside Egyptian intelligence headquarters in Sinai. Rafah crossing is the only outlet for Palestinians in Gaza. Israel imposes a tighten blockade on Gaza by closing its borders with Gaza .

There have been frequent closures of the terminal in recent weeks due to political unrest in Egypt and violence in the Sinai peninsula.

The closure of the only terminal for Palestinians in the besieged Gaza strip acerbated suffering of the Palestinian people, including patients, students and owners of visas. (T/P02/P04)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)