RAFAH, March 23, 2018 (WAFA) – Egyptian authorities opened Rafah border crossing, on the border with the Gaza Strip, for two days on Friday to allow crossing of humanitarian cases, said officials.

The crossing was reopened in both directions to allow entry and exit of passengers, especially humanitarian cases, into and out of the Strip.

Hundreds of commuters from the Gaza Strip arrived in the crossing since the early hours hoping to get a chance to cross into Egypt.

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

The crossing is Gaza‘s main gate to the outside world. Due to the constraints on Palestinian movement through the crossing, many Gazans are commonly barred from leaving or entering the besieged coastal enclave, some for months at times, stranding Palestinians on both sides of the crossing during closures.

M.N