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Man dies in Gaza crossing chaos | Man dies in Gaza crossing chaos |
(1 day later) | |
An elderly Palestinian died and several people were injured when police lost control of a crowd on the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. | An elderly Palestinian died and several people were injured when police lost control of a crowd on the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. |
At least three people were shot as police opened fire to drive back crowds pushing towards the crossing. | At least three people were shot as police opened fire to drive back crowds pushing towards the crossing. |
It was not immediately clear if the man was crushed or had a heart attack. | It was not immediately clear if the man was crushed or had a heart attack. |
Israel has allowed the crossing, Gaza's only route to the world bypassing Israel, to be open only intermittently since it withdrew from Gaza in 2005. | Israel has allowed the crossing, Gaza's only route to the world bypassing Israel, to be open only intermittently since it withdrew from Gaza in 2005. |
The irregular opening of the crossing - the only way for most Gazans to leave the Strip - means that large crowds usually arrive at the crossing when there is a chance it may open. | The irregular opening of the crossing - the only way for most Gazans to leave the Strip - means that large crowds usually arrive at the crossing when there is a chance it may open. |
European Union monitors say the crossing has been opened only for 20% of the time since last summer, due to Israeli warnings about security threats. | |
'Fire fight' | 'Fire fight' |
Witnesses quoted by AP news agency said the crowd which gathered un Thursday quickly became chaotic. | Witnesses quoted by AP news agency said the crowd which gathered un Thursday quickly became chaotic. |
Thousands of Gazans mass at the crossing when it opensThe elderly man who died had been on his way to a medical check-up in Egypt died, medics are quoted saying. | |
Another unconfirmed report said Palestinian security units shot at each other - and two gunshot injuries were received by members of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's bodyguard. | Another unconfirmed report said Palestinian security units shot at each other - and two gunshot injuries were received by members of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's bodyguard. |
The reason for the fire fight was not immediately clear, witnesses quoted by Reuters news agency said. | The reason for the fire fight was not immediately clear, witnesses quoted by Reuters news agency said. |
A spokesman for European Union officials who monitor the crossing said they had suspended operations until order was restored. | A spokesman for European Union officials who monitor the crossing said they had suspended operations until order was restored. |
The Rafah border crossing began operating in November 2005 under Palestinian control with EU monitors. | The Rafah border crossing began operating in November 2005 under Palestinian control with EU monitors. |