Gaza border crossings continue
Egypt says it will reseal Rafah crossing border with Gaza Strip
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Saturday, 26, Jan 2008 11:16
Palestinians are continuing to cross the international border with Egypt in search of essential items for a fourth consecutive day.
A blockade imposed by Israel in an attempt to undermine the Hamas-led government has led to fuel and food shortages in the territory. Militants blew a hole in the wall dividing Egypt and Israel at Rafah last week to enable Gaza residents to purchase goods in the neighbouring country.
Egyptian authorities fixed the hole in vain yesterday as a bulldozer was used to force a gap in the barrier.
Residents of Gaza have been going to Egypt to obtain necessities and reports suggest that they are not being impeded.
Eyewitnesses have spoken of cars passing between the two countries as residents shuttle supplies from the shops back to their homes.
Israel imposed the blockade after a week of increasing rocket fire from the territory governed by the Shia militant group, Hamas.
The move resulted in widespread shortages of commodities in the area and has been denounced as "collective punishment" by the European Union.
The United Nations and other aid organisations have warned of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as energy and medical supplies dwindle.