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| Gazans gather for border protest | Gazans gather for border protest |
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| Thousands of Palestinians are staging a protest in the Gaza Strip against the Israeli blockade of the territory. | Thousands of Palestinians are staging a protest in the Gaza Strip against the Israeli blockade of the territory. |
| The demonstration's organisers say they expect up to 50,000 women and children to form a 40km (25 mile) long "human chain" from Rafah to Beit Hanoun. | The demonstration's organisers say they expect up to 50,000 women and children to form a 40km (25 mile) long "human chain" from Rafah to Beit Hanoun. |
| Israel tightened the blockade when Hamas seized control of Gaza in June. | 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. |
| We do not have intentions of approaching the fence, either in the north or the south Jamal KhudariPopular Anti-Siege Committee | |
| "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. |
| "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 | Day off school |
| Monday's peaceful demonstration has been organised by the Popular Anti-Siege Committee, a pro-Hamas group. | Monday's peaceful demonstration has been organised by the Popular Anti-Siege Committee, a pro-Hamas group. |
| Organisers hope the chain will stretch along the border Crisis key to Gaza futureIsrael torn over Gaza roleSend us your comments | |
| "We do not have intentions of approaching the fence, either in the north or the south," said protest organiser Jamal Khudari. | "We do not have intentions of approaching the fence, either in the north or the south," said protest organiser Jamal Khudari. |
| "We hope all the participants will abide by the instructions and we will try to prevent any violations." | "We hope all the participants will abide by the instructions and we will try to prevent any violations." |
| Hamas has said it backs the demonstration but did not organise it. | Hamas has said it backs the demonstration but did not organise it. |
| Hamas-controlled schools across the coastal enclave have given pupils time off to take part in the human chain protest. | Hamas-controlled schools across the coastal enclave have given pupils time off to take part in the human chain protest. |
| An Israeli security source said the army was preparing for "all scenarios", Reuters reported. | An Israeli security source said the army was preparing for "all scenarios", Reuters reported. |
| "Obviously, if gunmen start shooting at the fence we will have to respond in kind and we are absolutely unwilling to countenance a situation where the fence is breached like it was at Rafah," Reuters reported the source as saying. | "Obviously, if gunmen start shooting at the fence we will have to respond in kind and we are absolutely unwilling to countenance a situation where the fence is breached like it was at Rafah," Reuters reported the source as saying. |
| Smuggling tunnels | Smuggling tunnels |
| On Sunday, two Hamas fighters were killed by Israeli airstrikes near the border in Khan Younis, and 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 by Israeli airstrikes near the border in Khan Younis, and 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. |
| 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. | 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 the Islamist Hamas party routed secular | Israel's blockade of Gaza was imposed after the Islamist Hamas party routed secular |
| Fatah forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas last June and seized control of the Gaza Strip. | 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: | |