Rafah Crossing closed again

Palestine

Published: 2017-08-19 17:31

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 08:57


Travellers were allowed to cross for exceptional circumstances for four days
Travellers were allowed to cross for exceptional circumstances for four days

Egypt has once again closed the Rafah Crossing that connects the Gaza Strip with Egypt, according to the Crossings Authority at the Ministry of Interior. This came after it had been opened for four days in exceptional circumstances, to allow those performing the Islamic Pilgrimage (Hajj) to leave the territory. Special humanitarian cases were also allowed to pass on two of the days, as well as those stranded at the border.

Hajj takes place in Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and travellers from Gaza fly through Egypt to Saudi Arabia to perform it. 

The crossing was opened from Monday Aug. 14 until Thursday Aug. 17. 2861 people traveling for Hajj passed in four groups, along with 1209 humanitarian cases and 1983 stranded. 104 travelers were returned from Egypt, having been blocked from entering the state without any stated reasons.