Palestinians storm Egyptian border crossing

updated 6:55 a.m. ET July 2, 2008

RAFAH, Gaza Strip - Palestinian witnesses said Wednesday that an angry crowd of people in the Gaza Strip stormed a border crossing with Egypt and was throwing rocks at Egyptian troops.

The witnesses said Egypt was repelling the crowd with water cannons, and that no-one had made it across the border.

The Palestinians were upset that they are not being allowed to cross into Egypt. The Egyptians had promised to open the Rafah crossing on Tuesday, but only a small number of Palestinians were allowed through.

Egypt has kept the crossing sealed since Hamas militants seized control of Gaza more than a year ago.

Rafah is the main gateway for Palestinians to the outside world. In January, Hamas militants blew open the border, allowing thousands of people to cross through until it was resealed about two weeks later.

MORE FROM MIDEAST & N. AFRICA

Mideast & N. Africa Section Front

Iran: U.N. station near border is for spying   Palestinians fake cancer to flee blockaded Gaza Palestinian files $110M libel suit over ‘Bruno’ Iraq shakes up security after bombings Ukraine OK’s $2.5 billion arms deal with Iraq Man, dog thought dead survive Baghdad blast Iran: Students, militia clash for 2nd day Mideast & N. Africa Section Front   Add Mideast & N. Africa headlines to your news reader: