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Egypt moves to seal Gaza border Gazans make new border wall hole
(20 minutes 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. Palestinians have used a bulldozer to make a new hole in the border wall between Gaza and Egypt, allowing scores of people to pass through.
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). Eyewitnesses describe the situation as volatile, and say the frontier remains porous for kilometres at a stretch.
Hundreds of thousands have surged into Egypt to buy supplies since militants blew holes in the border on Wednesday. Earlier Egyptian security forces tried to block almost all illegal entry points, using water cannon and firing warning shots to drive back crowds.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, says it backs the decision to close the border.
Hundreds of thousands have surged into Egypt to buy supplies since militants first 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
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 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.
'Difficult' situation'Difficult' situation
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.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.
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 TwoIt 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
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.
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. Live shots were also fired from both sides.
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 meanwhile began 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.
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 Gaza diary: Day ThreeGaza's rocket threat to Israel'Wartime' on Israeli borderEGYPT-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 Gaza diary: Day ThreeGaza's rocket threat to Israel'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. 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. But unless the group agrees to help police the border, it will be very difficult to keep it closed, the BBC's Ian Pannell in Rafah 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.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."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".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 destroyed, 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 the Associated Press that police were 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.
Overnight on Thursday, the Israeli military carried out two air strikes near the border, killing four suspected Hamas militants.Overnight on Thursday, the Israeli military carried out two air strikes near the border, killing four suspected Hamas militants.
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.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.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.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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