Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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January 2, 2008

Hundreds of Palestinian Pilgrims Re-Enter Gaza Via Hamas-Controlled
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AC6E94:A6F02AD83191E1607EE90677C096BD6970AD7039DCD7B7E4& Egyptian
authorities allow pilgrims through Rafah terminal on Egypt-Gaza border
Wednesday despite Israeli objections





A Palestinian pilgrim reacts after crossing the border as she and
others return through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza
Strip, Wednesday, 02 Jan. 2008Hundreds of Palestinian pilgrims who
were stranded in Egypt after returning from the hajj have re-entered
the Gaza Strip through a Hamas-controlled crossing.

Egyptian authorities allowed the pilgrims through the Rafah terminal
on the Egypt-Gaza border Wednesday despite Israeli objections.

Israel had wanted the pilgrims to pass through an Israeli-controlled
terminal to prevent people from smuggling money or weapons to Hamas
militants in Gaza. Hamas members among the pilgrims refused, fearing
arrest by the Israelis.

Egypt's government ordered the nearly 2,200 Palestinian pilgrims to
remain in temporary camps since Saturday while it tried to resolve the
dispute. Some pilgrims angry about their situation rioted on Monday.

Israeli officials criticized Egypt for allowing the pilgrims to use
the Rafah crossing, while Gaza's Hamas rulers hailed the move as a
victory.

Egypt closed its side of the Rafah border crossing to regular traffic
in June, when Hamas' takeover of Gaza prompted international monitors
to leave the terminal. Israel says Egypt cannot open the crossing
without its consent. Some information for this report was provided by
AFP, AP and Reuters.


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