The Egyptian authorities permanently opened the Rafah border crossing with the sieged Gaza Strip on Saturday, allowing the free passage of travellers for the first time in four years.


A Palestinian man waits to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on May 28, 2011 as Egypt reopened the border, allowing people to cross freely for the first time in four years. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
The border crossing will open from 9 a.m. (0600 GMT) to 5 p.m. (1400 GMT) everyday except for Fridays and national holidays, Egypt's official MENA news agency reported.


Opening the border comes in line with the Egyptian efforts to end the Palestinian division and fully implement the Palestinian national reconciliation.


The decision will allow Palestinians in the enclave to enter and exit their territory freely and stipulate an visa exemption for women in all ages and men under 18 or over 40 years old, as well as those who enter Egypt for study.


New trends and approaches manifested in the Egyptian foreign diplomacy after Hosni Mubarak's government was toppled. "Egypt's decision to permanently open its border crossing with Hamas-ruled Gaza starting on Saturday signals an adjustment in its foreign policy that will boost the group despite Israeli objections," local newspaper Daily News reported Saturday.


VietNamNet/Xinhuanet