Gaza-Egypt Border Open for the Weekend

The border has mainly been shut by Egypt since Hamas militants seized control of the territory in June 2005.

An Egyptian official said 3,000 Gazans had registered to leave this time.

In the West Bank meanwhile a Palestinian was killed by troops after throwing a petrol bomb at soldiers, Israel's military said.

The army said the Palestinian was shot dead near the Jewish settlement of Yitzhar, which has become a flashpoint for violence.

Last week about 100 settlers rampaged through the nearby Palestinian village of Asira al-Qabaliya after an intruder stabbed and wounded a child in Yitzhar.

The Hamas-appointed crossing authorities said most of those allowed to leave were pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia for the omra or minor pilgrimage to Mecca, in addition to sick people, students, and holders of foreign passports.

An Associated Press reporter saw Lauren Booth getting her passport stamped Saturday while inside the Egyptian side of the Rafah border terminal. Police prevented reporters from talking with her.

Booth has been trying to leave Gaza since last month but was turned away at Israeli and Egyptian crossings.

Booth was among 46 pro-Palestinian activists who sailed into Gaza waters on Aug. 23 to draw attention to Israel's blockade that has prevented Palestinians from traveling abroad.