Region | Palestinian Territories

US pressures Egypt on Gaza border

Thousands leave Gaza in search of food as the United States urges Egypt to secure its border.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 10:33 January 25, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Thousands of Palestinians crossed into Egypt on Wednesday and came back to Gaza with groceries after fighters destroyed parts of the border wall.
  • Image Credit: AP

Rafah: Amid the continuing exodus of thousands of Palestinians from Israeli-blockaded Gaza, the United States has pressured Egypt to secure its border with the territory.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she understood it was "difficult" but the border "needs to be protected".

Thousands of Palestinians crossed into Egypt on Wednesday and came back to Gaza with groceries after fighters destroyed parts of the border wall.

The Israeli government fears that Hamas fighters may use the opportunity to smuggle weapons into Gaza. Israeli police had been ordered to be on increased alert for terrorists.

The supply of food and fuel has been running low in Gaza after Israel tightened its blockade of the area to force Hamas to stop rocket attacks into Israeli towns.

Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki promised the border would "go back as normal". He said the current situation is only "temporary".

Meanwhile, two Israeli air strikes on cars killed at least four Palestinian fighters, including two Hamas commanders, in southern Gaza on Friday, security officials said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the military air strikes in Rafah, saying that troops were targeting "terror operatives".

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. Israeli strikes kill four Palestinians

    Israeli strikes kill four Palestinians in Gaza

  2. Israel wants to cut Gaza links

    Israel wants to cut Gaza links

    Israel wants to cut Gaza links

  3. UN body condemns Israeli military action

    UN body condemns Israeli military action

  4. Almost entire population of Gaza 'on vacation in Egypt'

    Almost entire population of Gaza 'on vacation in Egypt'

    Almost the entire population of Gaza 'on vacation in Egypt'

  5. Palestine exodus pins Cairo in a tight spot

    Palestine exodus pins Cairo in a tight spot

    Palestine exodus pins Cairo in a diplomatic tight spot

  6. Egypt pledges to seal Gaza border

    Egypt pledges to seal Gaza border

    Egypt pledges to seal Gaza border

  7. Israel 'wants to sever connections with Gaza'

    Israel 'wants to sever connections with Gaza'

  8. Israel and Palestine clash at UN

    Israel and Palestine clash at UN

    Israel and Palestinian envoys clash in UN debate

  9. No more delays for them

    No more delays for them

  10. Water cannons fired at Palestinians

    Water cannons fired at Palestinians

    Egypt fires water cannons at Palestinians trying to cross border

More from Palestinian Territories

  1. No colony decision by Netanyahu, Sarkozy

  2. Colonies in limelight as Netanyahu meets Sarkozy

  3. Arafat remembered as freedom fighter

  4. Six injured as Bedouins ambush patrol

All articles in Palestinian territories

More from Region

Gulf News
Popular in News
News Editor's choice