Palestinian officials told Ahram Online that Rafah Crossing is paralysed after Egyptian authorities restored restrictions on the border with Gaza Wednesday.

Only two buses crossed from Egypt to Gaza during Wednesday, according to Ghazy Hamad, a senior official to the Hamas foreign minister in Gaza.

He added that there is disagreement between Hamas and Egypt over the number of travellers to be permitted to cross every day, and the criteria under which people can gain entry visas, whether to Gaza or Egypt.

“Egyptian officials promised to find a fundamental solution to these problems in order to keep Rafah Crossing open for all Palestinians and Egyptians to travel without any obstacles,” Hamad said. He added that Egyptian officials needed time to process traveller easily and smoothly.

Meanwhile, a source revealed to the Palestinian Maan News Agency that certain Palestinians were barred from entering Egypt due to "security concerns", appearing on an Egyptian blacklist for having criminal records or being linked to illegal smuggling tunnels.

Hamad contests the claims. “Ninety five per cent of the people on this blacklist do not have security problems with Egypt; the list also includes old women in their seventieth year,” Hamad said.   

Maan News says the blacklist comprises 5,000 names, and that Hamas leaders will meet Egyptian officials soon to discuss its impact. The agency added that the Rafah Crossing is currently not working to full potential due to a lack of security equipment.