Al-Arish, Egypt - Hundreds of Palestinians stormed Egypt's border crossing with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and threw rocks at police in protest at slow entry procedures a day after the border was temporarily reopened.

Angry crowds, who have been waiting for hours to be allowed to pass through the Rafah crossing, swept through the checkpoint and entered Egyptian territory by force, security officials said.

Egyptian border guards using water canons dispersed the Palestinians, who threw rocks at them.

The Palestinians were frustrated that only scores of Gazans have been allowed to cross the border since Egypt opened it on Tuesday morning for two days following a truce agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

In January, Hamas militants blew open the border, allowing hundreds of thousands to pour into Egypt to stock up on food and humanitarian supplies after months of an Israel blockade of the Hamas-run territory.

The blockade, coming in response to rocket attacks fired from the territory, deprived Palestinians of basic commodities, such as food, medicine and fuel.

Hamas wants a permanent reopening of the border as part of the Gaza truce agreement with Israel.

In May, Egypt exceptionally allowed sick Palestinians entry to receive treatment. The border was reopened on June 18 for Palestinians to return home after receiving treatment. (dpa)