Gaza, February 02 (QNA) - The Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza opened in both directions on Monday for the movement of patients and citizens.

The crossing officially opened today for the movement of citizens, particularly those with humanitarian needs, including patients, the wounded, and passport holders. Among them were 150 patients and their companions, who were prepared from the early morning hours to be transported to the crossing and travel for treatment in hospitals outside the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian news agency (WAFA) said.

A number of Palestinians stranded on the Egyptian side of the crossing are expected to arrive in the Gaza Strip, WAFA added.

Citizens hope that the travel and movement through the crossing will proceed smoothly and without obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation, which has erected a checkpoint and military inspection point alongside the crossing to inspect returning citizens and their belongings.

Meanwhile, a source at the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that, so far, there is no new development regarding the travel of patients through the Rafah Crossing, adding that a group of patients will leave the Strip today under the existing arrangements via the Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is fully controlled and administered by the occupation forces.

Another source told QNA that a number of Gaza Strip residents have arrived on the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing in preparation for their entry into the Gaza Strip later today. (QNA)