Egypt has opened its border crossing with the Gaza Strip at Rafah for two days as a goodwill gesture before the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, said Palestinian officials on Saturday.
However, only people with urgent medical treatment and foreign residency permits are being allowed to cross over to Egypt, they added.
Egyptian and Palestinian officials said that some 1,000 people, mostly Egyptians stranded in Gaza since January, have crossed the border into Egypt so far, while about 500 people returned to Gaza from Egypt
Israel as well as Egypt had closed their border crossings to the Gaza Strip after the militant group Hamas seized control of the coastal territory in June 2007, allowing only humanitarian aid and basic supplies to pass through.
Currently, Egypt is mediating a cease-fire deal between the Hamas and Israel, which is aimed at ending the increasing violence in the region. The proposed cease-fire deal requires the halting of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli territory in return for Israel's lifting of its blockade.
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