Egypt-Gaza border crossing opens for first time in months

Aug 11, 2020

Beginning today, Palestinians stranded on either side of the Egypt-Gaza border will be able to cross for three days in what is their first opportunity in months. 

From Aug. 11 to 13, residents wanting to return to the Gaza Strip can enter through the Rafah crossing in Egypt. All arrivals must go to designated quarantine centers for 21 days and be tested for COVID-19. 

Palestine’s Interior Ministry spokesperson Eyad al-Bozzom said Monday that around 1,500 Palestinians would depart for Egypt and 2,000 Palestinians currently in Egypt are expected to return to Gaza. 

The crossing was closed in March as part of restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. Since then, Gazan have only been able to enter the coastal enclave during brief windows in April and May, and departures were prohibited entirely. 

Since Hamas seized control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, Egypt and Israel have heavily restricted movement to prevent the Islamist militant group from bringing weapons across their borders. Rafah remains the only exit point for Gazans who wish to travel out of the impoverished strip through Egypt.