Egypt opens Rafah border crossing

CAIRO – 14 August 2017: Egyptian Authorities opened the Rafah Border Crossing one way, allowing Palestinians heading to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage to transit through Egypt. The crossing is opened from August 14-17.

Palestinian Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Youssef Deabes told press that the total number of Palestinians crossing for pilgrimage is 2,640. The first group, which passed on Monday, was comprised of 789, while 17 were returned to Gaza Strip for security reasons.

Group members are transported by buses to Cairo International Airport under high-security protection.

The last time the crossing was opened was on May 6 for three days in one direction, from Egypt to Gaza, for stuck Palestinian students and patients.

The Islamic pilgrimage (hajj) follows the Islamic lunar calendar, coinciding in 2017 with August 30 through September 4.