Gaza – Ma'an – Israeli authorities opened the Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings on Monday, but kept the Nahal Oz fuel terminal closed, according to a Palestinian crossings official.

The official, Raed Fattouh, said Israel would allow 86-96 truckloads of aid through Kerem Shalom, while 95 trucks loaded with wheat and animal feed were expected through Karni.

Fattouh added that the Nahal Oz crossing would be closed.

There were no indications Israel was planning to allow exports from either of the two open terminals.

On Sunday, only Kerem Shalom crossing was open, while Israel kept the Nahal Oz and Karni crossings closed.

Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade of the Gaza Strip by land, sea and air since June 2007. The territory's 1.5 million inhabitants are largely banned from traveling.

However, Egypt plans to open its Rafah crossing for three to four days in early November to allow patients, Gaza students studying abroad, holders of foreign passports, and those with foreign residency.

Egyptian security sources told Ma'an on Sunday that the crossing would likely open on either Sunday or Monday next week. In order to cross, potential travelers would have to coordinate their plans with Egypt and with Palestinian authorities in Gaza, the sources added.

Palestinian sources in Gaza noted that more than 6,000 people have registered with the local government asking permission to leave Gaza. Another 300 Palestinians are stranded on the Egyptian side of the crossing, waiting to get in.

Ma'an's Egyptian sources said the plan to open the crossing was a part of an effort "to ease the Israeli siege of Gaza, regardless of the issue of Palestinian [Hamas-Fatah] dialogue."

Although the crossing is officially inoperative, Egypt chooses to open Rafah about once a month, while potential travelers face massive bureaucratic hurdles in crossing in either direction.