Cairo airport authorities have been notified that the Rafah land border crossing with Israel will be open from 7 am Wednesday until 5 pm Thursday to allow passage to Palestinians stranded at airports worldwide.
Airport Security Director Salah Zeyada gave orders to facilitate arrival procedures for Palestinians and other passengers who might be affected by travel congestion.
Immigration Department Director Magdy al-Samman also reportedly ordered extra immigration officers to be put on duty and an expedited procedure to transfer Palestinian travelers immediately to the Rafah crossing without waiting in the airport transit halls.
Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah crossing for five days starting Friday for Eid al-Fitr. The border crossing is typically closed on Fridays and holidays.
The passage was also shut for nine days following a deadly attack on a Sinai military checkpoint that killed 16 security officers dead earlier this month.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
