Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing with Gaza on Monday for two days, Palestinian crossing officials said.The first bus of passengers left early Monday from Gaza to cross into Egypt, a Ma’an reporter said.Director of Gaza crossings, Maher Abu Sabha, said that only those who have already registered to use the crossing will be permitted to use the terminal.

The decision by Egyptian authorities marks the fourth time the border will be opened since it was closed after a suicide bombing in the Sinai Peninsula in October killed 30 soldiers.

The attack led to a state of emergency and curfew being imposed in some parts of North Sinai where security forces are battling an Islamist insurgency.

The army has also created a wide buffer zone along the border with Gaza aimed at preventing infiltration by militants.

The Rafah crossing into Egypt has been the principal connection between Gaza’s 1.8 million residents and the outside world since the imposition of an Israeli blockade on the strip since 2007.

 (Ma’an – www.maannews.net)