Egypt opens Gaza crossing briefly

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7951243.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Egypt has re-opened Rafah, the only Gaza border crossing that bypasses Israel, for two days to allow students and sick people to cross.

Students stranded on either side of the border are being allowed to cross along with patients either returning from Egyptian hospitals or requiring them.

Foreign passport-holders inside Gaza are also being allowed to enter Egypt.

Egypt has kept Rafah largely closed since Hamas militants seized control of Gaza in June 2007.

It was last opened between 22 and 24 February.

More than 40 lorries carrying medicine and mineral water crossed into Gaza on Wednesday, border official Ghazi Hamad was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

About 120 Palestinians stranded in Egypt were also able to cross while around 350 Palestinian patients were expected to cross from Gaza into Egypt for treatment, the news agency added.