Israel reopening Gaza-Egypt crossing

Israel is reopening the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, the army said in Jerusalem today, allowing 1,500 stranded Palestinians to return home.

The crossing was to be opened tomorrow morning after the army changed security measures over concerns that Palestinian militants were planning attacks, perhaps through tunnels, the military said.

Yesterday Egypt warned of a humanitarian crisis at the crossing, where Palestinians have been waiting for more than two weeks. Israel says it closed the crossing on July 18 – warning Egypt and the Palestinians beforehand – and opened a different one nearby.

Palestinian travellers have been reluctant to use the second crossing, especially since it would require them to enter Israeli-controlled territory instead of Gaza.

The Palestinians waiting on the Egyptian side were unable to properly bathe and had to share food and clothes. The crossing is frequently closed, but rarely for such a long period.

According to interim peace agreements, Israel controls all crossings between Palestinian territories and neighbouring states.