UN secretary-general assistant for political affairs, Jens Anders, urged Egyptian authorities to reopen Rafah border crossing with Gaza to help the stranded Palestinians, Sky News Arabia reported on Thursday. "I encourage Egyptian authorities to reopen Rafah border crossing," Anders said in the UN session on Thursday. Egypt has closed the crossing since the deadly attack by Islamist militants took place in North Sinai in October, claiming the lives of 31 soldiers. Egypt opened the crossing with Gaza twice since then, first time was in November 26 and lasted for two days, and a three day period starting 21 December.