Interior Ministry Urges Egypt to Permanently Open Rafah Crossing
Palestinian peoples' sufferings increase through the continued closure of Rafah Border Crossing by the Egyptian
Military. Rafah Crossing is the only outlet for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian Authorities have closed the Rafah Border crossing for the 24th consecutive day without any legal reason or
justification, barring Palestinians from traveling. Although the Israeli Occupation opens Beit Hanoon and Kerem Shaloum
Border Crossings for the entry of essential and basic items, they are not sufficient for the two million residents of
the Gaza Strip .
Faced with this situation, the Interior Ministry makes the following points:
1-We appeal to the Egyptian Authorities to shoulder their legal and ethical responsibility for the Gaza Strip, and to
take into consideration the suffering of Gazans, who live under a severe blockade imposed by the Israeli Occupation.
2-Since the beginning of 2014, Egyptian Authorities have only opened the border crossing 9 times, for humanitarian
cases.
3-Ongoing closure of Rafah Border Crossing increases sufferings of patients, students, travelers, and residents abroad .
4-We urge the Arab League, the international community and human rights organizations to lobby the Egyptian authorities
to open the Rafah Border Crossing.
Interior Ministry
Gaza\Palestine
Monday 3th of March 2014
ENDS