Malaysian media delegation arrives in Gaza

A six-member Malaysia media delegation managed to enter the Gaza Strip on Sunday night via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt after several hours of delay at the Egyptian side of the terminal.

The delegation members were received on arrival by Omar Siyam, the director of Aman Palestine – Malaysia Institute.

Siyam said that the delegation, comprising Malaysian journalists, would stay in Gaza for around two weeks in a solidarity visit.

He added that they would write reports on the suffering of the Gaza population due to the siege.

Rafah border crossing has been working since Saturday after 50 days of closure and is expected to be closed again by the end of the day Monday.

The general department for borders and crossing said in a statement on Monday that the Egyptian authorities allowed the departure of 735 Palestinians on Sunday. It added that they comprised patients, students, stranded persons, holders of Egyptian passports, and humanitarian cases.

It added that those authorities returned 21 passengers without mentioning any reason for the step.

Thousands of stranded passengers hope that the Egyptian authorities would extend the opening of the crossing.