Egypt opens border crossing with Gaza Strip

"We thank (Egyptian) President Hosni Mubarak for opening the crossing today, and we hope the opening days will be extended," said Hamas' prime minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, in a statement to the press.

Salam Fayyad, prime minister of the internationally recognized Palestinian government that rules the West Bank, also called on Egypt to keep the crossing open.

Over Saturday and Sunday, Egypt will allow Palestinian students enrolled in universities abroad to leave Gaza, along with those with foreign residencies and work visas. Numbers were not immediately available.

Around 300 Egyptians were stuck in Gaza after they entered the territory following Hamas' border breach. Some 400 Palestinians needing medical treatment also will head to Egypt on Sunday, officials said.

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Associated Press Writer Ashraf Sweilam in Rafah, Egypt contributed to this report.