Egypt closes Rafah crossing until further notice

The Egyptian authorities had informed Palestinian officials that Rafah Crossing will be closed in both directions until further notice starting Saturday, Director-General of Gaza's Border Crossings Administration Maher Abu Sabha said. The Egyptian authorities opened its border crossing with the Gaza Strip last Wednesday, a week after it was closed in response to suicide bombings on an Egyptian military headquarters near the frontier. The Crossing was opened for four hours on Wednesday and Thursday at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's request to address the humanitarian needs of patients seeking treatment in Egypt and of students studying there.