The Rafiah border between Egypt and Gaza opened for three days starting Saturday, as rumors abounded that a new deal between Israel and Hamas regarding both a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit was near.

Egypt opened the crossing to a small number of students, medical patients, and Hamas government figures. Reports said around 400 people crossed from Gaza into Egypt, and another 700 went the opposite way. In addition, 10 trucks of medical aid from Arab countries entered the Hamas-controlled territory.