The Rafah crossing is the Gaza Strip’s only gateway to the outside world not controlled by Israel, but Egypt has largely sealed it in recent years, citing security threats.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has taken the rare decision to open the Rafah border crossing with Gaza for the entire holy month of Ramadan after Israeli snipers martyred 60 Palestinian protesters in the enclave, this week.
Sisi’s announcement came after some 60 Palestinians were shot and martyred by Israeli soldiers on Gaza’s border fence last Monday. The Egyptian foreign ministry describing the victims of this brutal assault as martyrs.
The last extended opening of Rafah crossing lasted three weeks in 2013. Usually Palestinians are able to cross for a few dozen days a year.
At least 114 Gazans have been killed in border protests and clashes since March 30, prior to the controversial opening Monday of the US embassy in Al - Quds after Washington recognized this city as capital of Israel.
