UN chief calls for Egypt to keep Rafah Crossing open

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday called on Egypt to keep the Rafah Crossing opened to facilitate the movement of Palestinians and goods in to and out of the Gaza Strip, the Anadolu Agency reported.

During the regular meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman said: “Ki-moon told the Egyptian authorities about the importance of keeping the Rafah Crossing opened on a regular basis.”

The UN official hailed the Egyptian decision to open the Rafah Crossing for four days, adding that he is aware of Egypt’s security fears.

Feltman said: “Unlimited pressure on the economic and social sectors in Gaza due to the continuous closure of the Rafah Crossing, electricity and water shortage and slow reconstruction all are factors fostering distress feelings among the Strip’s residents.”

He also warned of the shortage of the UNRWA funds to the level that it is unable to meet the needs of the Gaza Strip.