GAZA, September 15 (RIA Novosti) - Egyptian authorities have opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for three days, Palestinian radio reported on Tuesday.

Patients and people who have been receiving medical treatment in Egypt and abroad, people issued visas by Egypt and other states, and those returning from pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia will be among those allowed to cross the border.

The last time the border was opened in both ways was August 15 when more than 2,000 Palestinian pilgrims crossed on their way to Mecca.

The Gaza Strip has been subject to an Israeli blockade since the radical Islamic Hamas group came to power more than two years ago. Its 1.5 million residents suffer from severe shortages of medicine, food and fuel.

The Egyptian authorities occasionally open the country's border for certain categories of Palestinians and foreigners. Forty four Russians were allowed to leave Gaza around a month ago following Russian diplomatic efforts in Egypt.