Rafah Crossing Reopens After Weeks Of Closure

CAIRO, March 19 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The Rafah crossing, the channel linking the Gaza Strip with Egypt, reopened on Thursday, according to an official security source.

The crossing reopened "in both directions", the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Egyptian Al-Qahera News TV aired footage showing a small number of Palestinians preparing to cross from the Egyptian side back into Gaza.

The source added that eight Palestinians who had received medical treatment in Egypt, along with 17 family members, arrived earlier at the crossing to return home to Gaza.

Ambulances were lined up on the Egyptian side to receive Palestinians coming from the Strip, he added.

The Rafah crossing closed on Feb 28 following Israeli and US attacks on Iran. Israel announced on Sunday that the crossing would be temporarily opened on Wednesday to transfer individuals. However, a reason for the delay in reopening was not reported.  

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA