The present invention relates to an aqueous alkanolamine solution and use therein a process for the selective removal of hydrogen sulfide from gaseous mixtures comprising hydrogen sulfide. The aqueous alkanolamine solution consists of —an amino compound with the formula: R1R2NCH2CH(OH)CH2OH wherein R1 and R2 independently represent methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl groups —and bis(2-hydroxyethyl)methylamine, —optionally one or more of a physical solvent, an antifoaming agent, an antioxidant, a corrosion inhibitor, a film former, a chelating agent or a pH adjuster and —water The process for selectively removing hydrogen sulfide, comprising the step of contacting the gaseous mixture with the aqueous alkanolamine solution, preferably wherein the temperature of the aqueous alkanolamine solution is equal to or greater than 140° F.