Soldier killed in clashes over Gaza aid
Soldier killed in clashes over Gaza aid
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An Egyptian soldier has been killed and at least eight Palestinians injured in clashes on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
The clashes broke out as international activists were attempting to take aid into Gaza.
Activists had been trying to take 200 aid trucks into the blockaded Gaza strip, but Egypt had refused entry to a number of trucks. Egyptian officials say the soldier was killed by Palestinian gunfire from across the border.
The violence began on Tuesday when Palestinians threw stones at Egyptian officials after they refused entry to the trucks. Egyptian soldiers retaliated with gunfire. Dozens of activists have been hurt during the protests.
Both Israel and Egypt impose strict import restrictions on Gaza which Israel says is aimed at weakening Hamas, the Islamic militant movement which controls Gaza.
The trucks, part of the Viva Palestina aid convoy, broke the blockade this morning. They handed their aid over to the Central Council of Charities, a non-governmental body of civic societies, at a ceremony in Gaza City.
They have delivered a range of items including heart monitors, dental equipment and clothing.
According to Viva Palestina, a group of about 500 international activists, the blockade was caused by the Egyptian reneging on an agreement to allow their 200 trucks to enter Gaza.
Alice Howard, a spokesperson for the group, claimed that Egyptian authorities said dozens of trucks would have to enter Gaza via Israeli controlled check point which they felt would jeopardise the chances of the aid reaching its final destination.
There are strict controls and approval procedures on items such as medical machinery entering Gaza.
The demonstration over the trucks entry was organised Hamas. British politician and ex-Celebrity Big Brother House mate George Galloway has been travelling with the convoy which covered thousands of miles and passed through ten countries to reach its destination.