CAIRO - 31 August 2020: The Rafah border crossing remains opened Tuesday to allow the crossing of stranded passengers and humanitarian cases on both sides, with the continued entry of aid and reconstruction materials and equipment into the Gaza Strip in accordance with the directives of the political leadership, sources responsible for operating the terminal said.
Administrative and technical staff are on hand to speed up transit procedures and the entry of aid and reconstruction materials into the Gaza Strip.
Preparations are also in place to receive humanitarian cases and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip at any time, the sources said.
The crossing has been operating exceptionally since May 16 to receive the wounded and other humanitarian cases and allow the entry of stranded people from both sides.
Egypt has exceptionally opened the crossing since May 16 to enable people stranded on both sides to cross and to deliver aid to Gaza residents.
The crossing has been opened according to directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi since May 16, 2021. This comes within the framework of the Egyptian efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian citizen in the strip, restore the normal life of people in Gaza and start the reconstruction process.
It is also part of the Egyptian commitment announced by Sisi to quickly improve the living conditions of the Gaza dwellers.
On May 7, clashes began between Israeli forces in the West Bank and Jerusalem and civilians as the latter were protesting forced displacement, particularly from Sheikh Jarrah in Eastern Jerusalem, and assaults on worshippers in Al Aqsa Mosque. And, on May 10-20, Israel shelled and carried out airstrikes against Gaza Strip.
The violence and aggression across Palestinian territories incurred 243 deaths, including 66 children, and 6,039 injuries, as reported by the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA).
Tue, Aug. 31, 2021
