A few hundred people are expected to be able to pass through during the two day opening.

The Islamist group Hamas that rules Gaza says Egypt has opened its border with the territory for the first time this year.

Hamas said Saturday that the Rafah crossing is open for two days. A few hundred people are expected to be able to pass through during that time.

Egypt and Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza in 2007, after Hamas seized the territory from forces loyal to the Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Egypt only opens the border intermittently. Humanitarian aid and some goods enter Gaza from the Israel side.

Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing weapons and other supplies that could be used for military purposes. Critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s 1.8 million residents.

Related articles across the web

• Hamas kills its own commander for unnamed 'violations'
• Hamas kills a local commander for unnamed 'violations'
• Hamas kills its own commander for unnamed 'violations' - Spanish police arrest 7 on suspicion of links to ISIS - Man accused of ISIS-inspired plot to attack in Detroit
• Hamas, Fatah officials to meet next week in Qatar
• Poll suggests bulk of Palestinians in support of general elections
• Hamas kills a local commander for unnamed 'violations'
• Senior Hamas, Fatah officials to meet in Qatar to discuss reconciliation
• Hamas Terror Tunnels Reach Deep into Israel, Gaza Official Warns
• Hamas Hires Flintstones To Drive New Tank