Egypt opens Rafah crossing for 2 days

CAIRO, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Egypt has allowed Palestinians from Gaza to enter through the Rafah crossing for two days as a good will gesture before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The move allows passage for Gaza residents who need medical treatment, students heading to foreign universities and those with foreign passports into Egypt, Voice of America reported.

Gaza has been under a blockade since the Hamas takeover two years ago, with its residents unable to enter either Israel or Egypt. The Rafah crossing has been completely closed for several months.

Wadia Abu Nasser, a Palestinian political analyst, said he believes sealing off Gaza only makes Hamas stronger there.

"I believe the blockade is a backfire," he said. "When you make a blockade or a siege on a non-democratic regime, many times it is counterproductive."