GAZA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Gaza Strip ruler Hamas government on Sunday urged the Egyptian authorities to open the Rafah crossing point, which has been closed for two weeks amid Egypt's popular protests.

Palestinians in Gaza "were harmed by the closure" of the only gate to the world, said a statement by Hamas' border authorities.

"There are patients in need for urgent medical care," the statement said, noting that some Palestinians stuck in Egypt also need to return home.

Egypt opened the crossing after Israel's deadly attack on a Gaza-bound Turkish aid flotilla in May last year. The crossing had been closed since the Hamas took over Gaza by force in 2007.