GAZA, March 14 (UPI) -- Israel and the Palestinians agreed Monday to ease restrictions on the Rafah crossing linking Gaza and Egypt and to facilitate travel by Palestinians.
Palestinian sources said the two sides agreed at a meeting late Sunday to increase the number of Palestinians allowed to cross through Rafah in both directions from 300 to 700 daily and to extend the crossing's opening by two hours, from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.
Also agreement was reached over opening the crossing of al-Tufah west of Khan Yunis which was closed throughout the past four years and is the only passageway for inhabitants on the coastal side of the town, which is surrounded by the Jewish settlement of Gosh Katif.
The Israelis also agreed to ease restrictions on roadblocks between northern and southern Gaza and allow Palestinians to cross by car on condition they carry no more than four passengers.
