Egypt reopens Gaza borders

Egyptian authorities on Monday reopened the only crossing point between its territories and the Gaza Strip after three days of closure due to Muslim holidays, Gaza's Hamas rulers said.

The Rafah crossing, which is also the only gate for Gazans to the outside world, "is resuming normally on Monday for travelers in both directions," said Borders and Crossings Administration of the deposed Hamas government.

The crossing was closed during the three-day Muslim feast that marks the end of Ramadan fasting month.

On May 31, Egypt opened the crossing to calm an international outcry sparked by a lethal Israeli raid on a Turkish-led aid flotilla bound for Gaza to challenge Israel's blockade on the coastal enclave. Nine activists were killed in the commando forces raid.

Before the raid, Rafah crossing had been closed except for humanitarian cases since Islamic Hamas movement took over Gaza by force in June 2007.

Source: Xinhua