Egypt/Palestinian Terr.: Rafah border crossing to open May 12-15

Event

The Rafah border crossing along the Egypt-Gaza border is expected to open for four days from Saturday, May 12, through Tuesday, May 15, to allow the transportation of people out of Gaza in need of humanitarian assistance. A heightened security presence and crowded conditions are expected at the Rafah border crossing in the coming days.

Context

In October 2017, the Hamas and Fatah groups signed a reconciliation agreement, with Hamas ceding control of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing to the Palestinian Authority (PA). Egyptian authorities temporarily opened the crossing for three days each in December 2017 and February 2018, and most recently for two consecutive days on March 23.

Advice

Individuals are advised against travel to the Gaza Strip due to the difficulties of exiting the territory, the high risk of terrorism, the recurrent eruptions of violence between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, and the poor living conditions on the ground. Individuals in Israel are advised to avoid the area near the Gazan border due to the frequent launching of rockets from the territory.

Due to the prevailing threat of terrorism, individuals throughout Egypt should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly vulnerable to an attack (e.g. 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, festivals, etc.). Some governments advise their nationals against all travel to the Sinai Peninsula due to the persistent terrorist threat.