European Union observers returned to operate the site, Friday, though it was initially unclear how long the crossing will remain open. The issue of keeping the site open is to be discussed between representatives of the EU and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
PA officials say the Rafiah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt will be opened from 8am to 6pm on Friday.
The international gateway was closed immediately following the June 25th kidnapping of IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit near the Israeli Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza and Egypt.
Following the kidnapping, Rafiah was subsequently closed to prevent the terrorists from smuggling Shalit out of Gaza, but his whereabouts are still unknown.
Arab terrorists detonated a landmine next to the security wall separating Egypt and Gaza on Thursday. It was part of an ongoing effort by smugglers and terrorists to find ways to pressure Israel into opening the crossing through which smugglers and terrorists routinely made their way between Egypt and Gaza.
Security at the international gateway was transferred from Israeli control to the PA in September 2005 as part of the Israeli government’s expulsion of the Jewish presence in Gaza.
EU observers monitor the site on the Gaza side of the crossing while Israeli security personnel observe people who pass through the crossing by means of a video camera. Identification of those who pass, however, does not reach the Israeli security team until 8 minutes later, by which time it is too late to prevent the passage of anyone Israel deems a threat.
The crossing has been closed numerous times as a result of this flaw and the frequent security alerts posted by Israeli and other intelligence in the area.
PA border official Nazmi Muhana said the crossing would be open as a result of intensive efforts by European monitors in negotiations with Egypt and Israel. The crossing has been closed since the kidnapping of IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit, out of concern that he would be smuggled out of Gaza through it.
Shabak (General Security Service) Chief Yuval Diskin decried the opening of Rafiah, as tons of explosives and weapons have been smuggled through the crossing into Gaza, turning the terror haven into another Lebanon.
PA officials say the Rafiah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt will be opened from 8am to 6pm on Friday.
The international gateway was closed immediately following the June 25th kidnapping of IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit near the Israeli Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza and Egypt.
Following the kidnapping, Rafiah was subsequently closed to prevent the terrorists from smuggling Shalit out of Gaza, but his whereabouts are still unknown.
Arab terrorists detonated a landmine next to the security wall separating Egypt and Gaza on Thursday. It was part of an ongoing effort by smugglers and terrorists to find ways to pressure Israel into opening the crossing through which smugglers and terrorists routinely made their way between Egypt and Gaza.
Security at the international gateway was transferred from Israeli control to the PA in September 2005 as part of the Israeli government’s expulsion of the Jewish presence in Gaza.
EU observers monitor the site on the Gaza side of the crossing while Israeli security personnel observe people who pass through the crossing by means of a video camera. Identification of those who pass, however, does not reach the Israeli security team until 8 minutes later, by which time it is too late to prevent the passage of anyone Israel deems a threat.
The crossing has been closed numerous times as a result of this flaw and the frequent security alerts posted by Israeli and other intelligence in the area.
PA border official Nazmi Muhana said the crossing would be open as a result of intensive efforts by European monitors in negotiations with Egypt and Israel. The crossing has been closed since the kidnapping of IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit, out of concern that he would be smuggled out of Gaza through it.
Shabak (General Security Service) Chief Yuval Diskin decried the opening of Rafiah, as tons of explosives and weapons have been smuggled through the crossing into Gaza, turning the terror haven into another Lebanon.