Official: Gaza crossing to open monthly

GAZA, July 4 (UPI) -- The Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip will open three days each month to allow travelers and aid to cross, a Gaza official says.

Ghazi Hamad, head of borders and crossings in Gaza, said Egyptian officials informed him the Rafah crossing would be made accessible three days monthly, as it was June 25-27, Integrated Regional Information Networks reported Thursday.

"I, of course, asked for more, especially for medical patients," Hamad said.

During the June opening, 1,865 travelers were allowed to cross the Gaza-Egypt border.

Three trucks of medical aid were also allowed to enter Gaza from Egypt during the border opening, Hamad said.

The Gaza official told IRIN his government was obeying the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access regarding the border and was open to international efforts.

"We would welcome the return of the European presence on the border," Hamad said, "and would allow Israeli surveillance (of the crossing)."