Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza Strip in both directions on Monday, as the country marks Sinai Liberation Day and Sham Al-Nessim, officials announced. Director of the crossing Lieutenant Colonel Ayyoub Abu Sha\'ar told Ma\'an that the crossing would be closed on Monday only, as citizens mark the national holiday denoting the beginning of spring. The holiday always falls the day after the Eastern Orthodox Christian Easter. On Tuesday, the crossing will resume its five-day-a-week schedule, Abu Sha\'ar said.