Rafah crossing remains closed for Palestinians

Palestinians wait for relatives to cross back into Gaza through Rafah border with Egypt Gaza – Mohammed Habib The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating as Israel continues its siege on the coastal enclave. The crisis was made worse after Egypt closed its Rafah border with the Strip , and the destruction of the network of tunnels which were Gaza’s last connection to the outside world.
Residents in the besieged city face severe shortages of basic necessities, including food and urgently needed medical aid.  Fuel shortages have effectively led to paralysis, as thousands line up at petrol pumps.  Hospitals reliant on diesel to power generators say the siege is threatening medical services due to a shortage of electricity.
Human rights groups report of a humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza, with increased unemployment and poverty, and a distinct lack of basic services such as sanitation, medicine and clean drinking water.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) said it was deeply concerned for the future of Gazans, after Egypt closed its border in August citing security concerns.  According to the group, the small amounts of goods allowed into Gaza by Israel desperately fall below the required levels.  In June 2013, the authorities allowed 181 truckloads of goods into Gaza, daily., compared to 570 before the closure was imposed.
Director General of Egypt’s Rafah border crossing, Maher Abu Sabha said, “we are not aware of whether the crossing will be open tomorrow or not, as well as over the coming days.\"
Ghazi Hamad, Foreign Minister of Hamas; the group who control the Gaza Strip said in a press statement, Egypt is currently allowing 300 Palestinians cross the border daily, compared 1200 before the ousting of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.
He said the group will hold talks with Egypt’s ambassador to Palestine, Yasser Othman, who promised the urgent reopening of the Rafah border.