RAFAH, November 14, 2016 (WAFA) – Egypt opened Rafah border crossing with Gaza for five days on Monday to allow passage for humanitarian cases and others stuck on either side of the border, officials said.

Egyptian President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi reportedly ordered the border crossing between Egypt and the blockaded Gaza Strip to be open from Monday until Friday.

Hundreds of Gazans gathered at the crossing, which will be open in both directions to allow humanitarian cases, including students studying abroad, patients and visa holders to cross the borders.

The Rafah border is closed most of the year and opens for few days every two or three months. Egypt cites problems in the Sinai with armed groups as the reason for keeping the border with Gaza closed.

Rafah crossing is Gaza‘s main gate to the outside world.

Its other crossing is with Israel where only special cases with Israeli-army issued permits are allowed to cross.

K.F./M.A.