PRESS RELEASE
STATEMENT TO THE PRESS
5,178 crossed RCP within two days
20 JULY 2006
Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) was open on Tuesday 18 and on Wednesday 19 July. A total amount of 5,178 crossed the border during those two days. The agreement reached between the parties was that the crossing would open for those wishing to cross from Egypt to the Gaza Strip and only for humanitarian cases. The reopening of the border helps to end the crisis on the Egyptian side. On Tuesday 18 July, 4,908 persons crossed into the Gaza Strip from Egypt. This was the largest number to have used RCP in one day. The crossing opened at 08.47 Hrs and closed next day at 00.45 Hrs. RCP opened again on Wednesday 19 July with the aim of facilitating the crossing of the remainder of the humanitarian cases waiting on the Egyptian side. It was said that 3,000 people wanted to cross, but just a total of 270 people used the crossing. The crossing opened at 11.30 Hrs. and closed at 16.30 Hrs. EUBAM monitors and the PA officials who run RCP are on permanent standby and ready to open the crossing at short notice.
MARIA TELLERIA
Press & Public Information Officer
Mobile Telephone: 0542247250
_____________________________________________________________________
Provisional Headquarters
Dan Gardens Ashkelon 56 Hatayyasim st, Ashkelon 78100 ISRAEL
Duty Officer mobile phone: +972 (0) 54 630 5981 Fax: +972 (0) 868 45740
E-mail: hq@eubam-rafah.org
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Subject: Access and movement
Publication Date: 20/07/2006