EU-BAM is extending the opening hours of the Rafah border-crossing point from tonight 22 December until 27 December, at the request of the Palestinian Authority, to cater for pilgrims crossing the border during the Muslim traditional pilgrimage to Mecca, the Haj.
The border will be open for two ten-hour shifts, from 22.00 to 8.00 at night and from 10.00 to 20.00 during the day. This means that the border will be open for a total of 20 hours each day. More than 7,000 people are expected to leave Gaza during the five-day period.
EU-BAM has already extended the opening hours of the Rafah border-crossing point from five hours to eight hours each day and is operating the terminal for two shifts of four hours each.
EU-BAM will continue to gradually increase the opening hours until the goal of having the border open for 24 hours a day is achieved. For this to happen, the border mission's camp must be established so that the monitors can be fully deployed and the security situation must be stable.
Since the Rafah border-crossing point was opened on 25 November, more than 16,000 people have crossed from Gaza into Egypt and almost 14,000 have crossed from Egypt to Gaza. This adds up to 30,000 people in both directions, averaging over 1,100 each day.
EU-BAM hopes that progress in implementing the "Agreement on Movement and Access" reached between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority on 15 November will allow Gaza to trade with foreign markets and thereby improve its economic and financial situation.
For any questions please contact EU-BAM’s PPIO: 054-4926836
