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Egypt opens sealed Gaza crossing

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-30 15:39

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Palestinian officials say Egypt has opened their sealed border crossing with the Gaza Strip, allowing hundreds of people to enter and leave the coastal territory.

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Egypt opened the Rafah crossing on Saturday for two days, allowing thousands of Egyptian citizens stuck in Gaza to return home. They are also allowing hundreds of Palestinians needing medical treatment to enter Egypt. Palestinians with foreign residency permits will also leave Gaza. Palestinians stuck in Egypt will be able to return to Gaza.

Palestinian officials think Egypt is opening the crossing as a goodwill gesture before the holy Muslim month of Ramadan which begins next week.

Egypt sealed its Gaza crossing last year after militant Muslim group Hamas seized power of the territory.