Egypt Reopens Rafah Border Crossing in One Direction After Three Days of Closure

Two security sources stated that Egypt will reopen the Rafah crossing on its border with the Gaza Strip on Thursday in one direction for three days to allow Palestinians present on the Egyptian side to return to the Gaza Strip, while the crossing will not receive any Palestinians coming from the Gaza Strip. The sources mentioned that goods and Egyptian aid will be allowed into the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Interior in the Hamas government in Gaza stated that the Egyptian authorities informed them of the opening of the crossing in one direction on Thursday. Eyad Al-Bazam, spokesperson for the ministry, said, "We were informed by the Egyptian authorities that the Rafah crossing will be opened tomorrow for entry only to facilitate the return of those stranded to the Gaza Strip and to open the commercial crossing for the entry of goods." Earlier, Egyptian security sources announced on Monday that Egypt had closed the Rafah crossing until further notice, citing security reasons following the escalation that occurred on Saturday between Israel and Hamas.