Egypt announces indefinite opening of Rafah border, crossing with Gaza Strip

The Egyptian government on Tuesday announced to open its Rafah border, which passes from Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, indefinitely.
The move will allow people living in the strip a passage to the outside world. The interim government of Egypt took the step while hosting conversations between Hamas,
which rules the Gaza Strip, and Fatah, which runs the Palestinian Authority in
the Israeli-occupied West Bank, AFP reported quoting a security sources.  “This
isn’t a routine or normal opening. This is the first time in years that the
Rafah border crossing is opening indefinitely. It used to open only three or
four days at a time,” an Egyptian security source told AFP.

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The Gaza crossing, where the border is located, has been largely shut in the past months as an attempt to curb COVID-19 infection. However, the strip was opened intermittently for short periods.

According to media reports, the newly opened border will operate for 12 hours, six days a week as a passenger terminal only.

While men aged between 18 to 40 will require permits to use the crossing and trade, women and children can travel without any permits, reported Middle East Policy Council.

The reaction of Gaza residents on this decision of Egypt has so far been mixed. Some expressed relief while some were bitter about the decision as the border has a long bloody history attached to it.