By ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Gaza Strip's border crossing with Egypt is to open on Friday, Palestinian officials said Friday, giving thousands of people stranded on both sides a rare opportunity to cross.
Nazmi Muhana, director of the Palestinian border authority, said the Rafah crossing would be open to incoming and outgoing traffic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. "This is a result of intensive efforts by European monitors with the Egyptians and Israelis," he said.
The Rafah crossing has been closed for all but three days since Palestinian militants tunneled into Israel, captured an Israeli soldier and brought him back to the Gaza Strip on June 25.