RAFAH CROSSING CLOSED FOR THREE WEEKS

         Rafah, 1 Jumadil Awwal 1435/2 March 2014 (MINA) – Egyptian Authorities continue closing Rafah crossing in front of Palestinian passengers for the third week in a row, according to borders and crossings administration in Gaza.

         Hundreds of Palestinians, including students and medical patients, have been stuck at both sides of the closed crossing.

         Egypt opens the Rafah crossing once a week for Umra pilgrims, while the humanitarian cases are shouting for help, Al-Ray Media Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

         The Rafah crossing has been the principal connection between Gaza’s 1.8 million residents and the outside world since the imposition of an economic blockade by Israel beginning in 2007.

         Egypt has frequently closed the terminal since the Egyptian coup in July. Hundreds of tunnels that Gazans used for years to import fuel, building materials, and other goods were also destroyed.(T/P02/P03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)