Egypt Opens Gaza Border for Month of Ramadan

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has opened the Rafah border crossing near the Gaza for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

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"We are witnessing the outcome through steps Egypt has taken and we hope they continue, develop and increase," Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh said at a Friday prayer sermon in Gaza City.

The head of state made the unusual move to "alleviate the burdens of the brothers in the Gaza Strip," where some 60 Palestinian protesters were killed and more than 2,700 others injured – by Israel forces last week – during demonstrations against the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem following its relocation from Tel Aviv.

Egypt’s foreign ministry described the Palestinian victims as “martyrs.”

"We thank President Sisi ... this decision came in the right time because we are really suffering," Ahmed Habib, a Palestinian who holds an Egyptian passport, said according to AP. "Closing the crossing complicates the suffering."

Al-Sisi made the announcement on Facebook Thursday about the border which has been largely secured over the past free years, citing security concerns by the Egyptian government. The most recent extended opening of the region lasted for three weeks in 2013.

Egyptian authorities said 510 people from Gaza crossed into Egypt on Wednesday and another 541 on Thursday. Palestinians are allowed to cross for a few dozen days a year.

Dozens of trucks carrying cement, steel, power engines and medical and food aid from the Red Crescent also accompanied the group, according to officials.

The Rafah border crossing is the Gaza Strip’s only gateway outside of the Gaza not controlled by Israel. Last month, Hamas' Interior Ministry said more than 20,000 people were on exit waiting lists.

Egypt has uniquely maintained relations with both Israel and Gaza’s Hamas, positioning Cairo as an important player in any mediation between both parties. El-Sissi said, earlier this week, that Egypt has been communicating with Israel and the Palestinians in an effort "to stop the bloodshed."

The President has urged Israel to "understand that the Palestinian reactions are legitimate and they should handle it very carefully."

At least 114 Gazans have been killed by Israeli forces during border protests, since March 30.

About 2 million people live in the Gaza region.