28 May 2011 Last updated at 11:44

In pictures: Egypt-Gaza border opens at Rafah

Palestinian Yasser Srsaui, right, embraces a family member before crossing into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing

Egypt has relaxed border restrictions at its frontier with the Gaza Strip at Rafah, offering many Palestinians the prospect of moving with relative freedom for the first time

A Palestinian child looks through the window of a bus while crossing into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing

The border was closed by former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak - who fell from power earlier this year - after the militant Islamist movement Hamas seized power in Gaza. Since then almost all Palestinians have been confined to the narrow territory.

A boy in an ambulance at the Rafah border crossing

Some of the first people through the frontier were those needing medical attention. Seeking medical help in either Israel or Egypt has been very difficult for Gazans.

A Palestinian boy waits with his family to cross into Egypt

Many of those who arrived at Rafah on Saturday were carrying large bags as they headed to Egypt.

Palestinian travellers exchange currency before crossing into Egypt

Around the terminal, the usual characters found at international borders - such as these black market money-changers - have returned to Rafah.

Palestinian border police check identity documents of travellers crossing into Egypt

Inside the terminal Palestinian border guards check the documents of those hoping to travel. Palestinians carry identification papers - issued by Israel - instead of full national passports.

Middle East

In pictures: Egypt-Gaza border opens at Rafah

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