Rafah Crossing Opened for Palestinians Stranded by Outbreak

An Egyptian soldier keeps watch at the closed Rafah border crossing, between southern Gaza Strip and Egypt November 6, 2014. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
An Egyptian soldier keeps watch at the closed Rafah border crossing, between southern Gaza Strip and Egypt November 6, 2014. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
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Rafah Crossing Opened for Palestinians Stranded by Outbreak

An Egyptian soldier keeps watch at the closed Rafah border crossing, between southern Gaza Strip and Egypt November 6, 2014. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
An Egyptian soldier keeps watch at the closed Rafah border crossing, between southern Gaza Strip and Egypt November 6, 2014. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Egypt has reopened its border crossing with the Gaza Strip after nearly three weeks, allowing Palestinians stranded by the coronavirus pandemic to return home.

Gaza's Hamas-run government also temporarily reopened the crossing with Egypt.

One-way traffic into the coastal enclave through the Rafah crossing would be allowed for the coming four days, Gaza's interior ministry said Monday.

All those returning would be put into compulsory 21-day quarantine which could be extended, interior ministry spokesman Iyad al-Bozm said.

The crossing will remain open for four days to allow for the return of some 2,000 Palestinians from Egypt.



UN Welcomes Formation of Committees to Address Libya’s Security Concerns

Men gather in Tripoli's Martyrs Square on June 5, 2025 on the second day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of sacrifice. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)
Men gather in Tripoli's Martyrs Square on June 5, 2025 on the second day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of sacrifice. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)
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UN Welcomes Formation of Committees to Address Libya’s Security Concerns

Men gather in Tripoli's Martyrs Square on June 5, 2025 on the second day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of sacrifice. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)
Men gather in Tripoli's Martyrs Square on June 5, 2025 on the second day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of sacrifice. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has welcomed the establishment by the Presidency Council of two committees to address security and rights concerns.

“UNSMIL welcomes the establishment by the Presidency Council of two committees, composed of key parties, to address security and human rights concerns,” it said in a statement on Saturday.

“These efforts are aimed at strengthening security arrangements to prevent the outbreak of fighting and ensure the protection of civilians, as well as addressing human rights concerns in detention facilities, including widespread arbitrary detention,” it said.

“The Mission is committed to providing technical support to the committees, in line with international standards and its mandate,” the statement added.

UNSMIL stressed that the committees come at a “crucial moment when Libyans are demanding meaningful reform, accountable and democratic state institutions.”