Egypt has opened its border crossing with the Gaza Strip for the second time in two months to allow medical aid and Palestinians to enter the coastal territory.

Border official Ghazi Hamad says more than 40 trucks carrying medicine and mineral water have crossed into Gaza so far. He says 120 Palestinians who were stranded in Egypt were also able to cross. The border will remain open until Thursday.

Egypt has largely kept the crossing closed since the Islamic militant group Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Egypt, which has waged its own battle with Islamic militants at home, is wary of Hamas' rule in the neighboring territory.

About 350 Palestinian patients were also to cross from Gaza into Egypt Wednesday for treatment.