RAFAH, Egypt: Egyptian authorities decided to close the Rafah border crossing starting today for the six days of Eid al-Adha. The border will reopen on Thursday, November 10 according to sources. Since the operation of the border with the new mechanism started on May 28, 2011, the total number of travelers who crossed the border reached 154,749. Of those, 79,287 came into Egypt from the Gaza Strip and 75,462 have gone in the opposite direction. The sources also said the border would be opened as an exception to allow Palestinians recently released from Israeli prisons to cross into Egypt so they can travel to Saudi Arabia for the Islamic pilgrimage. Saudi King Abdullah has invited all of the prisoners released in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to come to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. The Saudi king will cover all of the pilgrims' expenses, and the Rafah border will be opened specifically for the former prisoners to be able to travel to Cairo Airport.