EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma'an) -- Egyptian authorities released 18 Palestinians from prison on Saturday as a gesture for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, a security source said.

The released detainees had all entered Egypt illegally and were arrested at security checkpoints in the Sinai.

The group, including two women, will return to the Gaza Strip.

Disorder has been spreading in North Sinai, a region awash with guns that feels neglected by the central government since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak last year in a popular uprising. Mubarak's government had worked closely with Israel to secure the border region.

Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi, who took office in June, has promised to restore stability.