The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip has been opened for two days so that hundreds of people can cross.

All Palestinians who need medical treatment will be allowed into Egypt, and those who have residency in Gaza will be allowed safe passage from Egypt, officials said.

Palestinians returning from outside of Egypt will also be allowed into Gaza through the Rafah crossing, Nabil Amr,a Palestinian diplomat said, adding that the decision was "humanitarian", and in "response to appeals from stranded Palestinians".

The move followed talks on Sunday between Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, and Omar Suleiman, Egypt's chief of intelligence.

Ayman Mohyeldin, Al Jazeera's correspondent on the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, said at best the situation can only be described as chaotic.

"About 1,000 Palestinians have been waiting by the crossing to see if they can get into Egypt, but we have been told that only about 300 or so will be allowed to go through."

Al Jazeera