CAIRO, Aug. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Israel will reopen the Rafah crossing checkpoint at 8:30 am (0530 GMT) on Friday, sources at the Rafah land port said Thursday.

    The port administration is preparing name lists of Palestinians registered for entering the Palestinian territories, the sources said.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also confirmed Thursday that the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip will be reopened.

    On Wednesday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry summoned Israeli Ambassador Eli Sheked, urging Israel to reopen the crossing point.

    Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit told reporters that it was imperative for Israel to live up to its responsibilities for thousands of Palestinians stranded at the crossing point.

    The Rafah crossing point has been closed since July 17. About 2,500 Palestinians, including men, women and children, were crammed into a parking lot about half the size of a soccer field with only two doors for ventilation and straw mats as beds. Enditem