GAZA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Egypt on Thursday opened the Rafah crossing on its border with the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip for three days, Gaza's Interior Ministry said.

The ministry, run by the Islamic Hamas movement, said in a statement that traveling is allowed for already registered patients seeking treatment outside Gaza, students studying abroad and people with residence permit in other countries.

Egypt reopens the crossing in both directions for a few days every month or two for stranded travelers.

Egypt's opening of the crossing is based on the security situation in the Sinai Peninsula where the country is launching a war against Islamic State terrorists.

Controlled by Egypt, the Rafah crossing is currently the only link between the Gaza Strip and the outside world.

The seaside enclave has been besieged by Israel since 2007, after Hamas routed the forces loyal to the Palestinian Authority and seized control of the territory by force.