JERUSALEM — Pro-Palestinian activists sent another ship to challenge Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, and Egypt opened a crossing into the Palestinian territory after at least nine activists died when Israeli commandos boarded a ship headed to Gaza a day earlier.

Egypt, which has enforced the blockade with Israel since Hamas militants seized control of Gaza three years ago, said it was opening the border for several days to allow aid into the area, the Associated Press reported.

The governor of Egyptian’s northern Sinai district, Murad Muwafi, said it was a humanitarian gesture meant to “alleviate the suffering of our Palestinian brothers after the Israeli attack.”

The botched raid plunged Israel into a diplomatic crisis that could obstruct action on the most pressing issues in the Mideast, from U.S.-backed peace talks to sanctions against Iran.

The incident drew harsh words from the Arab world and questions from foes and allies about why the operation to intercept the six-ship flotilla, for which Israel had weeks to prepare, turned deadly. The United Nations Security Council met in emergency session to consider condemning Israel’s actions.