21 Nov 2017 | 03:44 PM UTC
Israel/Palestinian Territories: Egypt closes border with Gaza Nov. 21 /update 1
Egypt closes main border crossing point between Gaza and Rafah on November 21
Event
On the morning of Tuesday, November 21, Egypt closed the Rafah border crossing point with Gaza. Authorities had previously issued a statement on Monday, November 20, stating that they intended to keep the border open until Thursday, November 23. It is unclear what prompted Egyptian authorities to close the Rafah border crossing ahead of schedule, or whether there are plans to reopen the border again in the near future.
Context
This was the first time that the PA had controlled the border crossing point since 2007. Hamas gave up control as part of a deal brokered by Egypt aimed at ending the ongoing dispute between the movement and the PA. According to media reports, residents had hoped that the move would eventually lead to a permanent reopening of the Rafah crossing.
The Gaza Strip has been under the control of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas since June 2007, since which time Israeli authorities have maintained a blockade of the territory. Humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated over the past decade, including shortages of potable water and regular, widespread power cuts. The coastal enclave is one of the most densely-populated regions of the world, home to over 2 million people.
Advice
Individuals in the area should anticipate a heightened security presence around the Rafah crossing point.
Due to the ongoing terrorist threat, travelers in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and to remain vigilant when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, etc.). As a reminder, several Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.
