This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7262089.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Gaza protesters form human chain Gaza protesters form human chain
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of Palestinians are forming a "human chain" in Gaza in protest at Israel's blockade of the territory. Thousands of Palestinians have formed a "human chain" in Gaza in protest at Israel's blockade of the territory.
The protest's organisers say they expect up to 50,000 women and children to join the 40km (25-mile) chain, which is to link Rafah and Beit Hanoun. Organisers had hoped up to 50,000 people would make a 40km (25-mile) chain from Rafah to Beit Hanoun, but turnout was below expectation.
Israel tightened the blockade when Hamas seized control of Gaza in June.
Earlier, Israel's military strengthened its positions along the border and warned it would hold Hamas responsible if the demonstration became violent.Earlier, Israel's military strengthened its positions along the border and warned it would hold Hamas responsible if the demonstration became violent.
Israel tightened the blockade when Hamas seized control of Gaza in June.
"Israel will not intervene in demonstrations inside the Gaza Strip but it will ensure the defence of its territory and prevent any violation of its sovereign borders," said a joint statement released by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak."Israel will not intervene in demonstrations inside the Gaza Strip but it will ensure the defence of its territory and prevent any violation of its sovereign borders," said a joint statement released by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak.
We do not have intentions of approaching the fence, either in the north or the south Jamal KhudariPopular Anti-Siege Committee We do not have intentions of approaching the fence, either in the north or the south Jamal Khudari,Popular Anti-Siege Committee
"Israel will work to avoid a deterioration of the situation but declares unequivocally that Hamas must assume full responsibility if that happens," said the statement."Israel will work to avoid a deterioration of the situation but declares unequivocally that Hamas must assume full responsibility if that happens," said the statement.
Last month, the barrier separating Gaza from Egypt was demolished by militants, allowing hundreds of thousands of people to cross the border and obtain much-needed supplies.Last month, the barrier separating Gaza from Egypt was demolished by militants, allowing hundreds of thousands of people to cross the border and obtain much-needed supplies.
Day off school Stones thrown
Thousands of women and children from all around the Gaza Strip travelled to the main north-south road for Monday's peaceful demonstration.Thousands of women and children from all around the Gaza Strip travelled to the main north-south road for Monday's peaceful demonstration.
Schools were closed for the day, and thousands of pupils were taken in buses to participate. Many could be seen with banners stating: "The siege of Gaza will only strengthen us" and "The world has condemned Gaza to death".Schools were closed for the day, and thousands of pupils were taken in buses to participate. Many could be seen with banners stating: "The siege of Gaza will only strengthen us" and "The world has condemned Gaza to death".
The protest's organisers, the pro-Hamas Popular Anti-Siege Committee, said they planned to place a person every metre along the 40km-long road from the Rafah crossing on the southern border to the Erez crossing near the northern town of Beit Hanoun. The protest's organisers, the pro-Hamas Popular Anti-Siege Committee, had planned to place a person every metre along the 40km-long road from the Rafah crossing on the southern border to the Erez crossing near the northern town of Beit Hanoun, but reports say only around 5,000 took part.
Organisers hope the chain will stretch along the border Crisis key to Gaza futureIsrael torn over Gaza roleSend us your comments Organisers hoped the chain would stretch along the border Crisis key to Gaza futureIsrael torn over Gaza roleSend us your comments
But Jamal Khudari, the head of the committee, said the demonstration would not risk a violent response from Israeli or Egyptian forces by going too close to either of the country's borders. Jamal Khudari, the head of the committee, had promised the demonstration would not risk a violent response from Israeli or Egyptian forces by going too close to either of the country's borders.
"We do not have intentions of approaching the fence, either in the north or the south," he said. "We hope all the participants will abide by the instructions and we will try to prevent any violations." As it began to break up in the early afternoon, some 50 schoolchildren reportedly ran towards the Erez crossing and started throwing stones.
Hamas has said it backs the demonstration but did not organise it. Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint are said to have fired into the air to scare the children away and no casualties have been reported.
An Israeli military spokesman, Col Zeev Sharoni, said it had not received any specific warnings about the protest, but insisted "the army will do everything necessary to prevent people from crossing into Israeli territory". Earlier, an Israeli military spokesman, Col Zeev Sharoni, insisted the army would "do everything necessary to prevent people from crossing into Israeli territory".
BBC Arab affairs analyst Magdi Abdelhadi says the Palestinians in Gaza appear to have realised that mass action is their best chance of getting the attention of the world and generating more pressure on Israel to ease the blockade.BBC Arab affairs analyst Magdi Abdelhadi says the Palestinians in Gaza appear to have realised that mass action is their best chance of getting the attention of the world and generating more pressure on Israel to ease the blockade.
With Israel refusing, and Hamas and Fatah locked in a power struggle, they want to send a clear message to the outside world that ordinary civilians are paying the price, he says.With Israel refusing, and Hamas and Fatah locked in a power struggle, they want to send a clear message to the outside world that ordinary civilians are paying the price, he says.
Smuggling tunnels Rocket attacks
On Sunday, two Hamas fighters were killed in Israeli airstrikes near the border in Khan Younis, while another died in northern Gaza, the group said. Israeli forces also detained 40 Palestinians and said they had discovered five smuggling tunnels along the territory's frontier.On Sunday, two Hamas fighters were killed in Israeli airstrikes near the border in Khan Younis, while another died in northern Gaza, the group said. Israeli forces also detained 40 Palestinians and said they had discovered five smuggling tunnels along the territory's frontier.
Israel's military has stepped up operations along Gaza's frontierIsrael's military has stepped up operations along Gaza's frontier
Israeli authorities fear a repetition of scenes from last month, when the fence separating Gaza from Egypt was demolished by Palestinian militants in several places near the Rafah crossing point.Israeli authorities fear a repetition of scenes from last month, when the fence separating Gaza from Egypt was demolished by Palestinian militants in several places near the Rafah crossing point.
Hundreds of thousands of Gazans poured through the breaches to buy essential goods before the border was resealed several days later. Hamas officials have since raised the possibility of similar breaches along the border with Israel. Hamas officials have since raised the possibility of similar breaches along the border with Israel.
Israel's blockade of Gaza was imposed after Hamas routed Fatah forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas last June and seized control of the Gaza Strip.Israel's blockade of Gaza was imposed after Hamas routed Fatah forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas last June and seized control of the Gaza Strip.
Israel said the siege, which has prevented the flow of everything but essential humanitarian supplies, was in response to cross-border rocket attacks by militants in Gaza.Israel said the siege, which has prevented the flow of everything but essential humanitarian supplies, was in response to cross-border rocket attacks by militants in Gaza.
But Palestinians and several international agencies have said the sanctions amount to collective punishment of Gaza's 1.5 million civilians.But Palestinians and several international agencies have said the sanctions amount to collective punishment of Gaza's 1.5 million civilians.
Are you in Gaza? Are you taking part in the protests? Please send your comments by using the form below:
Are you in Gaza? Are you taking part in the protests? Please send your comments by using the form below:
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
If you have a large file you can upload here.If you have a large file you can upload here.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
 Name