Monday, Egyptian authorities reopened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip in both directions for a period of four days for the travel of humanitarian cases to and from the Strip, according to the Hamas Ministry of Interior.

The ministry said in a statement, "This morning, several buses carrying travelers from the Gaza Strip left through the Rafah land crossing, on the first day of its exceptional opening in both directions, while the returnees' buses arrived."

According to the ministry, certain groups who have fulfilled the conditions of departure are allowed to do so, foremost among them are patients who need treatment in Egypt and abroad, university students and holders of residency in foreign countries.

The ministry statement indicated that the crossing "will remain open for four days, from today until Thursday, in both directions."

The Egyptian decision comes about a month after a previous similar decision, as the crossing was last opened September 27. The crossing is the only outlet that is not controlled by the Israeli occupier and connects the besieged and impoverished sector to the outside.

The Egyptian authorities have opened the crossing only infrequently due to the outbreak of the coronvirus.