Egypt has closed the Rafiah border as planned after two days of re-opening it for the beginning the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Thousands of Arabs crossed back and forth through the border that divides the city of Rafiah.

Egypt and Hamas have not agreed on when the crossing will be re-opened, as demanded by Hamas. Israel has said that the current Gaza ceasefire calls for it to be opened after the safe return of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Hamas claims that Israel first must release hundreds of terrorists, including those who have murdered Israelis.

Most of those who passed through the crossing into Egypt the past two days were those needing medical care or were Egyptian citizens or Gaza Arabs with Egyptian passports.