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Egypt Announces Opening Rafah Border Crossing to Reduce Pressure on Residents

A woman waits for a travel permit to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing after it was opened by Egyptian authorities for humanitarian cases, in the southern Gaza Strip February 21, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem. (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)
A woman waits for a travel permit to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing after it was opened by Egyptian authorities for humanitarian cases, in the southern Gaza Strip February 21, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem. (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)
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Egypt Announces Opening Rafah Border Crossing to Reduce Pressure on Residents

A woman waits for a travel permit to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing after it was opened by Egyptian authorities for humanitarian cases, in the southern Gaza Strip February 21, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem. (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)
A woman waits for a travel permit to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing after it was opened by Egyptian authorities for humanitarian cases, in the southern Gaza Strip February 21, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem. (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)

Egyptian authorities opened Saturday Rafah border crossing with Gaza Strip, allowing people to move in both directions for three days.

Trucks carrying some goods and fuel will be allowed into Gaza's power plant, which has been out of service for weeks now.

Palestinians from both directions passed, and the first group of Palestinians passed from Rafah crossing in northern Sinai into Egyptian territory after travel procedures were finished.

Several buses, carrying hundreds of passengers, left Gaza Strip on Saturday, including a bus for Egyptian passport holders, along with several ambulances carrying patients who have been waiting for months to allow them to leave the Strip for treatment in Egypt.

The opening of Rafah crossing comes amid tight security measures taken inside and outside the crossing and along the international road that links Arish, Rafah and Qantara, according to an Egyptian security source.

Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt Diab al-Loh expressed deep appreciation to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for his keen to alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinians, and he thanked Egyptian security forces for providing all necessary aid.

The opening of Rafah crossing is particularly linked to the passage of medical patients, students and those with permits for Egypt.

The crossing is frequently closed due to military operations carried out by the army and police forces in northern Sinai to pursue terrorist elements, mainly affiliated with ISIS.

It is likely that about a one thousand passengers will leave during the three days of the opening of the crossing while dozens of Palestinians stranded in Egypt and other countries are expected to return.

The Palestinian embassy announced several days ago that those who want to return to Gaza shall go to the embassy and register their names to be given the permits.

This is the third time that crossing opens this month as it was opened on April 12 for three days in both directions and opened on April 25 for only one day for those stuck on the Egyptian side.

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Arab World

Aoun: Rebuilding Lebanon is Not Difficult if Intentions are Sincere

President Joseph Aoun welcoming his visitors at the Baabda Palace (Lebanese Presidency)
President Joseph Aoun welcoming his visitors at the Baabda Palace (Lebanese Presidency)
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Aoun: Rebuilding Lebanon is Not Difficult if Intentions are Sincere

President Joseph Aoun welcoming his visitors at the Baabda Palace (Lebanese Presidency)
President Joseph Aoun welcoming his visitors at the Baabda Palace (Lebanese Presidency)

President Joseph Aoun said the Lebanese “must unite to rebuild the country, a task that is not difficult if intentions are sincere.”
He underscored the importance of forming a government that aligns with the aspirations of the Lebanese people and enables the country to recover, particularly on the economic front.
Aoun pointed out that the swift formation of a government would send a positive signal internationally, demonstrating that Lebanon is on the right track. He reiterated that everyone must rise to the occasion, stating: “Those who cannot bear the responsibility should not hold positions of authority.”
Calling for collective efforts to serve the public good, Aoun remarked that Lebanon’s strength lies in all its citizens, regardless of sectarian affiliations. He stressed the importance of mobilizing the potential of both residents and expatriates to contribute to the nation’s revival.
The president made these statements during a meeting with Catholicos Aram I of the Armenian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan of the Syriac Catholic Church, and Catholicos-Patriarch Raphael Bedros of the Armenian Catholic Church. The three religious leaders visited the presidential palace to congratulate him on his election.
“We are at a crossroads. While we have many opportunities ahead, it is up to us to either seize them or lose them. We must unite to rebuild the country, a task that is not difficult if intentions are sincere. Otherwise, we must bear the consequences of our choices,” the president said.
He continued: “We have received many positive signals and invitations from abroad. In return, we must also send positive messages. God willing, this will culminate in the formation of a government that meets the aspirations of the Lebanese people, functions effectively, and allows the country to recover, especially economically, so it can get back on the right path.”
Aoun concluded: “Lebanon has untapped potential, both at home and within its diaspora, that must be activated to serve the country. This requires an approach based on prioritizing the public interest with transparency and cooperation. This is what the world expects from us, and if we achieve it, they will support us.”