1000 Palestinians stuck in Rafah crossing due to Israeli measures

A Palestinian security source and passengers said yesterday that some 1000 Palestinian passengers are stuck on the Egyptian side of Rafah border crossing because of "Israeli measures."

The security source told reporters that at least "1000 passengers have been stuck since several days on the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing to the south of Gaza" because of the prevention measures used by the Israeli occupation authorities against them.

The source indicated that those passengers were obliged to spend their night in the Egyptian arrival hall for several days as the Israeli side permits only 200 passengers as an average to return back daily to Gaza from abroad -- a small number in comparison with the number of passengers.

The source added that among the passengers are several patients who underwent surgery operations and medical treatment abroad in addition to elderly, children and women.

Worthy mentioning that Rafah crossing is the only one used by the people of Gaza to travel abroad. It works, for the time being just for several hours, according to Palestinian security sources.