Palestinians storm Rafah crossing

Palestinian youth on Wednesday threw rocks at Egyptian soldiers, who responded in kind, keeping the crowd at bay with water cannons.

At least six border guards were hurt in the exchange, Reuters news agency reported, citing an Egyptian police source.

Television footage showed some Palestinians were also wounded.

Egypt opened the crossing for two days to allow in Palestinians who need medical treatment not available in Gaza, and for Palestinians to return home.

Hundreds of Palestinians had gathered on the Gaza side of the border crossing, hoping to leave the impoverished and heavily-sanctioned strip.

Al Jazeera's Ayman Moyheldin, reporting from the crossing, said: "They have been waiting all day [and] there has been growing frustration that the Egyptian authorities have not been letting in enough Palestinians."

Crossing closed

Witnesses said the crowd burst past Hamas security forces at the border but was unable to get through the Egyptian side.

Hamas later restored order on the Palestinian side, but Egyptian authorities had already closed the terminal gate, which was supposed to remain open until Thursday.

The Rafah crossing is the main gateway for Gaza's 1.4 million people to travel abroad.

It has largely remained sealed as part of an Israeli-led blockade of the strip imposed after Hamas seized total control of Gaza from security forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, more than a year ago.

The closure prevents Palestinians from travelling for medical care, studies and family visits.