Gunfire Kills 1, Wounds Dozens in Gaza Clash

Palestinians and Egyptians exchange fire at border crossing
By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 4, 2008 8:11 PM CST
Gunfire Kills 1, Wounds Dozens in Gaza Clash
A Palestinian youth throws stones during clashes with Egyptian police along the border fence at the border crossing in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. Gunfire erupted at the Gaza-Egypt border on Monday, following stone-throwing clashes between Egyptian border guards and Palestinians,...   (Associated Press)

Gunfire broke out between Egyptians and Palestinians today that left one dead and 59 wounded at the Rafah border crossing, Reuters reports. The skirmish erupted after Egyptian security stopped Gazans from returning home through the recently breached border. Palestinians threw stones and Egyptians tossed smoke grenades before the shooting started. "People here are terrified because tear gas can cause children to suffocate," one Egyptian said.

One Palestinian civilian died, and 45 or more Egyptian police and Palestinians were wounded in the battle. Egypt has resealed the border, but is allowing Gazans and Egyptians to again return to their respective homes. Egypt agreed to further talks, but faces a double bind: US and Israeli pressure to stem Palestinian emigration, and opposition from other countries to Israel's Gaza blockade. (More Gaza blockade stories.)

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