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Egypt moves to seal Gaza border Egypt moves to seal Gaza border
(about 1 hour later)
Egyptian security forces have blocked almost all illegal entry points along the border with Gaza to try to stem the flow of Palestinians wanting to leave.Egyptian security forces have blocked almost all illegal entry points along the border with Gaza to try to stem the flow of Palestinians wanting to leave.
Riot police used water cannons against those still attempting to cross the border into Egypt, and announced it would be closed from 1500 (1300 GMT).Riot police used water cannons against those still attempting to cross the border into Egypt, and announced it would be closed from 1500 (1300 GMT).
Hundreds of thousands have surged into Egypt to buy supplies since militants blew holes in the border on Wednesday.Hundreds of thousands have surged into Egypt to buy supplies since militants blew holes in the border on Wednesday.
Israel has demanded Egypt take action, as it is worried about arms smuggling.Israel has demanded Egypt take action, as it is worried about arms smuggling.
Map of the Egypt-Gaza border area Map of the Egypt-Gaza border area
Overnight on Thursday, the Israeli military carried out two air strikes near the border killing four suspected Hamas militants. The UN has estimated that as much as half of Gaza's 1.5 million population has crossed the border in defiance of the Israeli blockade imposed in retaliation for rocket attacks.
The commander of the Islamist movement's military wing in Rafah, Mohammed Abu Harb, was killed along with another senior militant when Israeli missiles hit their jeep in the town, Palestinian medics said.
It is an international border, it needs to be protected US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Israel torn over Gaza roleViewpoints: Sderot and RafahIn pictures: Border Day Two
Another two other members of the group, which seized control of Gaza in June, were killed two hours earlier in an Israeli air strike on a truck in southern Rafah.
Israel has killed more than 40 Palestinians in Gaza during the past 10 days in addition to tightening its blockade of the coastal territory, which has been used by militants to fire rockets into the Jewish state.
The United Nations has calculated that as much as half of the 1.5 million population of the territory has crossed the border since Wednesday.
'Difficult' situation'Difficult' situation
On Thursday evening, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged the Egyptian government to secure its border with Gaza. After standing by and watching for two days, Egyptian security forces began to stop Palestinians from entering their country early on Friday morning, while at the same time allowing people back into Gaza.
EGYPT-GAZA BORDER 12km (7.4 miles) longEgyptian side patrolled by 750 soldiers under 2005 agreement with IsraelBorder crossing terminal south of town of RafahPA control of terminal under EU supervision collapsed after Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007 Border closed almost continuously since href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7207744.stm">Gaza diary: Day Three class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/3702088.stm">Gaza's rocket threat to Israel class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7203040.stm">'Wartime' on Israeli border It is an international border, it needs to be protected US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7206881.stm">Israel torn over Gaza role class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/7203223.stm">Viewpoints: Sderot and Rafah class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7207596.stm">In pictures: Border Day Two
Arriving for talks in Colombia, Ms Rice said she understood Egypt's position was "difficult", but said: "It is an international border, it needs to be protected and I believe that the Egyptians understand the importance of doing that."
Later, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki promised the border would "go back as normal".
"The current situation is only an exception and for temporary reasons," he said.
By Friday morning, Egyptian security forces began to stop Palestinians from entering Egypt, while at the same time allowing people back into Gaza.
Riot police formed human chains along the frontier in attempt to seal the breach, but thousands of Palestinians still managed to get through.Riot police formed human chains along the frontier in attempt to seal the breach, but thousands of Palestinians still managed to get through.
Gazans have been returning with everything from fuel to camels Later, hundreds of extra police armed with electric batons were deployed, and water cannons were aimed above the heads of the jostling crowd after some Palestinians threw stones. Live shots were also fired from both sides.
Later, hundreds of extra police armed with electric batons were deployed, and water cannons were aimed above the heads of the jostling crowd after some Palestinians threw stones. Egyptian border guards meanwhile began placing piles of barbed wire and chain-link fences along the border in an attempt to re-seal it.
Egyptian border guards have meanwhile begun placing piles of barbed wire and chain-link fences along the border in an attempt to re-seal it.
Those returning from Egypt said police had been using loudspeakers to announce in several nearby towns that the border would be resealed later in the afternoon.Those returning from Egypt said police had been using loudspeakers to announce in several nearby towns that the border would be resealed later in the afternoon.
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Jerusalem says it will be a difficult job, however, as more than half of the border fence has been destroyed. EGYPT-GAZA BORDER 12km (7.4 miles) longEgyptian side patrolled by 750 soldiers under 2005 agreement with IsraelBorder crossing terminal south of town of RafahPA control of terminal under EU supervision collapsed after Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007 Border closed almost continuously since class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7207744.stm">Gaza diary: Day Three class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/3702088.stm">Gaza's rocket threat to Israel class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7203040.stm">'Wartime' on Israeli border
The BBC's Ian Pannell in Rafah say Hamas, the Islamist movement which seized control of Gaza in June, has said it supports Egypt's decision to close the border.
But unless the group agrees to help police the border, it will be very difficult to keep it closed, our correspondent says.
The move by the Egyptian authorities came only hours after the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, urged them to secure the border with Gaza.
On Thursday evening, Ms Rice said she understood Egypt's position was "difficult", but said: "It is an international border, it needs to be protected and I believe that the Egyptians understand the importance of doing that."
Later, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki promised the border would "go back as normal".
Militant threatMilitant threat
Israel has stepped up its security since the border fence was blown up, with citizens warned against travelling to the Sinai peninsula in Egypt. Israel has stepped up its security since the border fence was destroyed, with citizens warned against travelling to the Sinai peninsula in Egypt.
GAZA BLOCKADE 17 January: Israel seals border following rise in rocket attacks20 January: Gaza's only power plant shuts down22 January: Israel eases restrictions22 January: Egyptian border guards disperse Palestinian protest against closure23 January: Border wall breached Blockade incites press angerEgypt faces Gaza surgeProfile: Gaza StripGAZA BLOCKADE 17 January: Israel seals border following rise in rocket attacks20 January: Gaza's only power plant shuts down22 January: Israel eases restrictions22 January: Egyptian border guards disperse Palestinian protest against closure23 January: Border wall breached Blockade incites press angerEgypt faces Gaza surgeProfile: Gaza Strip
A spokesman for public security minister Avi Dichter told AP the police had been ordered to be on increased alert, because of "intelligence warnings that terrorists will infiltrate Israel". A spokesman for public security minister Avi Dichter told the Associated Press that police were on increased alert, because of "intelligence warnings that terrorists will infiltrate Israel".
It is also worried that militant groups based in Gaza will have taken advantage of the freedom of movement to bolster their weapons stores.It is also worried that militant groups based in Gaza will have taken advantage of the freedom of movement to bolster their weapons stores.
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Arye Mekel has blamed Hamas for the plight of Gazans. Overnight on Thursday, the Israeli military carried out two air strikes near the border, killing four suspected Hamas militants.
"All they have to do is stop firing the rockets towards Sderot and other places in Israel, and immediately there will be no problem with the border crossing," he said. The commander of the Islamist movement's military wing in Rafah, Mohammed Abu Harb, was killed along with another senior militant when Israeli missiles hit their jeep in the town, Palestinian medics said.
Another two other members of the group were killed two hours earlier in an Israeli air strike on a truck in southern Rafah.
Israel has killed more than 40 Palestinians in Gaza during the past 10 days in addition to tightening its blockade of the coastal territory, which has been used by militants to fire rockets into the Jewish state.
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