Key Gaza crossing to open on weekend for pilgrims

A senior Palestinian official announced on Monday that the Rafah Crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border would be opened on Saturday and Sunday for Palestinian pilgrims stranded there.

Director of Crossings Salim Abu Saffeya said the decision to open the crossing was made under an agreement between Egypt and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to allow Palestinian pilgrims stranded at the border to go back to Gaza.

Abu Saffeya said the crossing would be shut down after the brief opening and would be re-opened for another two days during the Eid al-Fetter Holiday after the holy Muslim fasting month Ramadan which ends early next month.

Abu Saffeya also said the Palestinian side was holding intensive contacts with concerned parties to reach a final agreement on the operation of the Rafah Crossing.

Shortly after the Israeli pullout from Gaza last month, thousands of exultant Palestinians swarmed across the uncontrolled Gaza border into Egypt to visit relatives or stock on cheap supplies.

Israel, out of fear of weapon smuggling into Gaza, urged the Palestinians and Egypt to tighten security control of the border.

Rafah is one of the four main crossings on Gaza border and the only exit for Gazans to go abroad.

Source: Xinhua