Egypt reopens Rafah crossing for stranded Palestinians

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-04-2008 09:45

Egypt has opened the Rafah border crossing with the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, in order to allow stranded Palestinians back into Gaza. The move came a day after Egyptian police clashed with hundreds of Palestinians who tried to storm through the border crossing.

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt through Rafah border  crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, July 2,  2008. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Hamas officials say at least 500 Palestinians were allowed to cross into Gaza. Most were either students who finished their academic terms, or others who had been stranded inside Egypt.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh sought to calm tensions with neighboring Egypt.

Ismail Haniyeh said, "Everything that had happened was spontaneous, not planned, and was not meant to take place. It was the pressure of the siege,"

In response to Wednesday's violence, Egyptian forces used a water cannon, and Hamas security forces had to restrain a crowd jostling for access during a brief opening of the Rafah crossing point.

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border  crossing in the southern Gaza Strip July 2, 2008.  REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA)

Some Palestinians threw stones at Egyptian forces and also complained of Hamas's failure to speed up their passage to Egypt.

For most Gazans, the Rafah crossing is the only access to the outside world. They are blocked from other land, sea, and air routes by Israel.

Haniyeh said the clashes at Rafah were motivated by people angered by Israel's Gaza blockade.

In his remarks, Haniyeh said Palestinians and Egypt have many interests in common, including the ceasefire Cairo brokered between Hamas and Israel.

Editor:Du Xiaodan