Egyptian and Hamas forces on Monday completely sealed the Gaza-Egypt border, closing the last passage through which people were allowed to return home, an AFP correspondent saw. Clashes erupted in the late afternoon, when dozens of Palestinian youths threw stones at the Egyptian security forces across the now-sealed border, an AFP correspondent saw.
The helmeted Egyptian forces retaliated by firing shots into the air and tear-gas and also by throwing rocks back at the Palestinians. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Some 2,000 Palestinians had gathered at the border prior to the clashes, hoping in vain to be able to cross to the other side.
Egyptian security forces and Hamas gunmen closed the border between Gaza and Egypt on Sunday after reportedly agreeing on restoring control over the frontier that Gaza militants blew open nearly two weeks ago amid a punishing Israeli blockade.
One dead One Palestinian was killed and three others were wounded on Monday as Egyptian policemen opened fire to disperse a protest after the Gaza-Egypt border was sealed, medics and witnesses said. Witnesses on the Egyptian side of the border told AFP that three policemen were also shot and wounded in the incident. The Palestinian sources named the dead man as Hamed al Qadi, 40. Twelve other people were treated for tear-gas inhalation, medics said.