Egypt opened its Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip at the weekend for the first time since May, allowing more than 2,500 people to leave the coastal territory controlled by the Islamist group Hamas.

The border opening was aimed as a goodwill gesture ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Over the weekend, Palestinian officials said those leaving Gaza included Egyptian citizens, students, holders of foreign residency permits and patients in need of medical treatment abroad. During the two days, more than 1,000 people entered the enclave, the officials said.