Egypt has ‘indefinitely’ opened its border with the Gaza Strip. For a number of years, the crossing had previously only  been opened for three to four days at a time. For Gaza, the Rafah crossing is the only passage to the outside world not controlled by Israel.

Arab News reports that Gaza residents were relieved on Tuesday as they crossed into Egypt. Gaza residents, half of whom live below the poverty line, want their leaders to negotiate a permanent arrangement for the enclave.

They say their situation under siege has been made worse worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. One resident said, “This crossing must be open 24 hours a day, throughout the year. There are lots of humanitarian cases that are extremely dire.”

Arab News reports that the announcement of Rafah opening indefinitely comes on the second day of unity talks between Palestinian factions, which are being hosted by Egypt. They are also a lead up to the first elections to be held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since 2006.

Umm Muhammed Umar