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Gazans blow up Egypt border wall Gazans flood through Egypt border
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of Palestinians have surged into Egypt from the Gaza Strip after masked militants blew several holes in a border wall. Thousands of Palestinians have surged into Egypt from the Gaza Strip after masked militants destroyed parts of the border wall.
Gazans rushed to buy food, fuel and other supplies that have become scarce because of an Israeli blockade - aimed at stopping rocket attacks from Gaza.Gazans rushed to buy food, fuel and other supplies that have become scarce because of an Israeli blockade - aimed at stopping rocket attacks from Gaza.
The militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, has urged Egypt to open its border, which had remained closed. Egyptian police have so far taken no action to stop people crossing.
Egyptian police have so far taken no action against the influx from Gaza. The militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, had urged Egypt to open its border over the past few days.
The Gaza Strip has been short of fuel and other essential goods since last week, when Israel imposed the blockade.The Gaza Strip has been short of fuel and other essential goods since last week, when Israel imposed the blockade.
It was eased slightly on Tuesday to allow some fuel and medicines through.It was eased slightly on Tuesday to allow some fuel and medicines through.
We want to buy rice and sugar, milk and wheat and some cheese Ibrahim Abu TahaGaza resident In pictures: border breached'Wartime' on Israeli borderWe want to buy rice and sugar, milk and wheat and some cheese Ibrahim Abu TahaGaza resident In pictures: border breached'Wartime' on Israeli border
Early on Wednesday gunmen set off a number of explosions along the wall near the Rafah crossing.Early on Wednesday gunmen set off a number of explosions along the wall near the Rafah crossing.
The BBC's Ian Pannell, who is on the Egyptian side of the border, says thousands of Palestinians have crossed through the breached wall and were stocking up on essentials, petrol and cigarettes.The BBC's Ian Pannell, who is on the Egyptian side of the border, says thousands of Palestinians have crossed through the breached wall and were stocking up on essentials, petrol and cigarettes.
Among them was Ibrahim Abu Taha, a father of seven, who told the Associated Press news agency:Among them was Ibrahim Abu Taha, a father of seven, who told the Associated Press news agency:
"We want to buy food, we want to buy rice and sugar, milk and wheat and some cheese.""We want to buy food, we want to buy rice and sugar, milk and wheat and some cheese."
Water cannonWater cannon
In 2005, Hamas militants blew up holes in the border with Egypt following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.In 2005, Hamas militants blew up holes in the border with Egypt following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.
Gaza's rocket threat to IsraelProfile: Gaza StripGaza diary: Day OneGaza's rocket threat to IsraelProfile: Gaza StripGaza diary: Day One
Wednesday's scenes at the Rafah crossing come a day after Egyptian police broke up a protest there by women.Wednesday's scenes at the Rafah crossing come a day after Egyptian police broke up a protest there by women.
In New York on Tuesday, Israeli and Palestinian envoys had clashed at the United Nations Security Council during a debate on Israel's blockade.In New York on Tuesday, Israeli and Palestinian envoys had clashed at the United Nations Security Council during a debate on Israel's blockade.
The Palestinian UN observer accused Israel of fuelling violence, while the Israeli envoy said his country had to protect its people from rocket attacks.The Palestinian UN observer accused Israel of fuelling violence, while the Israeli envoy said his country had to protect its people from rocket attacks.
The council was considering a call for Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza freely.The council was considering a call for Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza freely.
Tuesday's day-long council debate had been requested by Arab and Islamic states amid a growing international outcry at what the European Union termed the "collective punishment" of Gaza's 1.5m residents. Tuesday's council debate had been requested by Arab and Islamic states amid a growing international outcry at what the European Union termed the "collective punishment" of Gaza's 1.5m residents.
But Israeli representative Gilad Cohen denied that Israel was violating international law. Some council members have been pushing for a compromise resolution, condemning the rocket attacks and recognising "Israel's rights to self-defence", but also urging the Israelis to lift the closure.
However Israeli representative Gilad Cohen denied that Israel was violating international law.
"It is the duty of all states to ensure the right to life and safety of its people, especially from vicious acts of violence and terrorism," he said, adding that Israel would "ensure the humanitarian welfare" of Gaza."It is the duty of all states to ensure the right to life and safety of its people, especially from vicious acts of violence and terrorism," he said, adding that Israel would "ensure the humanitarian welfare" of Gaza.