CAIRO: The Rafah border crossing remained open Tuesday for the third day running to allow Palestinians to come in from Gaza and others to return to the strip.
About 1,153 Palestinians have entered Egypt since the crossing opened Sunday. They were mostly students heading to their countries of study, medical patients seeking treatment in Egypt and holders of residencies in other countries.
Additionally, 380 Palestinians have been allowed to return to Gaza through the crossing since Sunday. Many of these are patients who have already been treated in Egypt, or stranded Palestinians who have been unable to return because the crossing was closed.
On Monday, a European delegation headed by President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pottering entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing in a fact-finding mission on Gaza in the wake of the 22-day Israeli offensive on the Strip.
Security has been tightened in Rafah and on the roads leading up to the border following the bomb blast near the popular tourist hub Khan El-Khalili bazaar Sunday night which has resulted in the death of a 17-year-old French girl.
Checkpoints have been multiplied in the town and on the highway and frequent car searches are being conducted, according to sources in the area.
Egypt had closed the crossing earlier this month after having kept it open for humanitarian purposes during Israel’s 22-day offensive on Gaza. During the attacks, Palestinian patients were allowed into Egypt and aid was sent to Gaza through Rafah.
The sudden recent opening of the crossing may be related to Egypt’s intention to begin unity talks between Palestinian factions today. The talks had been scheduled to begin Sunday but were postponed due to the setbacks in the truce talks between Israel and Hamas.
