Why did Egypt reopen the Rafah crossing in 2011?

In May 2011, Egypt’s interim government announced the permanent reopening of the Rafah border crossing following the popular uprising in Egypt that forced President Hosni Mubarak to step down.1

Under the Mubarak administration, Egypt’s cooperation in enforcing the blockade of the Gaza Strip had been deeply unpopular with the Egyptian public. By reopening the crossing, the new interim government sought to change this policy, allowing Palestinians to pass between Egypt and Gaza. While the crossing remained closed for trade, the decision permitted approximately 1,200 people to cross the border daily.1