Israel says date for opening Gaza's Rafah crossing to be announced at later stage

Israel said Thursday that the date for the opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt would be announced at a later stage, and that aid would not pass through the gateway.

"The date for the opening of the Rafah Crossing for the movement of people only will be announced at a later stage, once the Israeli side, together with the Egyptian side, completes the necessary preparations for the crossing's opening," said a statement from COGAT, the Israeli defense ministry body that oversees civil affairs in the Palestinian territories.

"It should be emphasized that humanitarian aid will not pass through the Rafah Crossing. This was never agreed upon at any stage," it said, adding that "aid continues to enter the Gaza Strip" through other crossings.