Rafah / PNN – Egypt is allowing its shared border with the Gaza Strip to be open at the Rafah crossing for three days next week.

Director of Coordination at the Rafah Crossing, Jaser Al Mashoukhi announced this morning that the Egyptian authorities decided to open the route for passenger traffic in both directions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

The Palestinian Ministry of Interior in the Hamas government is making the necessary arrangements to prepare travelers. Al Mashoukhi noted that the Ministry is working in cooperation with border management in order to facilitate movement. Most of the arrangements were completed within the past weeks, but the final opening date had been uncertain. He said that involved parties will "ensure the right of the people to travel in comfort and ease."

Gaza has been under Israeli siege for three years, with the Egyptian side taking relatively little criticism for its role in keeping the Rafah border crossing closed, particularly during major attacks on the Strip. The Egyptian administration maintains that it is the Israelis who have ultimate control over the crossing due to the 2005 agreement signed with the Palestinian Authority. Some critics say that it is the Palestinian people who are paying for Egyptian distain of the Hamas government.

As far as instructions are concerned for next week, Al Mashoukhi added on Thursday that travel through the crossing will be by buses sent by the Ministry of Interior.