The authorities in Egypt have opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip around the clock in response to Israel's military assault. Officials will keep the crossing open, even during national holidays. They cancelled a closure due yesterday to commemorate the Islamic New Year.

According to Egyptian TV, the crossing is now open in both directions for humanitarian traffic. Hospitals in the coastal town of El-Arish are fully prepared to receive Palestinians wounded in Israel's aerial and land bombardment of the besieged territory.