Abdel Wahab Mabrouk, Governor of North Sinai, told Ahram Online that the level of preparation in the governorate has been heightened in expectation of a march towards Gaza on 15 May.

People in the governorate are crowding shops and gas stations trying to stock up on rations to cover at least two weeks, because of news that a million will be marching from Egypt and other Arab countries on the 15th towards Rafah. May 15 marks the day of nakba (catastrophe), an annual day of commemoration by Palestinians of the creation of the state of Israel.

There have been rumours that the Salam Bridge will be shut down for one week. An official who preferred anonymity said that there are orders to allow Palestinians coming through Rafah to pass with passports and to allow Egyptians who are inhabitants of North Sinai to pass only with national IDs.

He added that an emergency meeting took place between all local authorities to increase the level of preparation and to ensure that basic commodities such as gas and kerosene are available in sufficient quantities, as well as medication and emergency medical supplies.