Egyptian authorities have decided to open the Rafah crossing for three days from Tuesday, a Gaza official said Monday. Ayoub Abu Shaar, the Gaza director of Rafah crossing, told the Palestinian Ma\'an news agency that Egyptian authorities officially informed them that the border crossing will be re-opened on both sides on Tuesday for three days. Medical patients, students, visa holders and those with other humanitarian reasons will be able to cross. People with residence permits and patients registered on the list of from August 8-11 were also allowed through. However, no pilgrims wishing to go on Umrah are allowed, according to the conditions set by the Egyptian side. Three days ago, Egyptian authorities opened the crossing for those stuck in Egypt and other Arab countries, especially Palestinians who were performing Umrah, a religious pilgrimage second only to Hajj, in Saudi Arabia. Palestinians who have been stuck outside the Gaza Strip have appealed to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to intervene and help them return home through Egypt, and allow the Egyptian embassies to cancel the ban on issues visas so they could return home before the Eid al-Fitr holiiday. Mahir Abu Sabha, director of crossings in the Hamas-run government, told Ma\'an on Monday that Egyptian authorities had promised to reopen the Rafah crossing for Eid al-Fitr, expected to take place this weekend. After gunmen killed 16 Egyptian border guards on Sunday, Egypt closed its border with the Gaza Strip and sealed smuggling tunnels that provide a lifeline to the besieged territory. The Rafah crossing is the only gate for the residents of Gaza to the outside world that is not controlled by Israel.