SOME RELIEF AT LAST: Palestinians arrive at the Gaza Strip after crossing the Rafah border terminal from Egypt on Monday. (AFP)

GAZA CITY: The Rafah border crossing point with Egypt was partially opened on Monday to allow stranded Palestinians on both sides to cross in and out of the blockaded Gaza Strip, according to an official announcement.

Ihab Al-Ghussien, a spokesman for the Hamas interior ministry, said that three buses left for Egypt before noon on Monday. The first bus carried regular passengers; the second medical cases and the third unspecified special cases.

In the statement, the spokesman added that the crossing would remain open for three days beginning from Monday. That will allow patients, students, and holders of foreign passports and residency permits to travel.

“The Egyptians have promised to ease the procedure at the crossing in order to let as many travelers to go as possible,” the spokesman said.

On the way leading to the crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, Hamas has set up several security check points in order to prevent those who have not registered their names for travel to be added to the Hamas interior ministry list.

There are specific places in Gaza for the registered passengers to travel from. All Palestinians stranded in Egypt will be able to return home to Gaza during the three days.