Stranded Palestinians Storm Closed Gaza-Egypt Border Crossing

An estimated 5,000 Palestinians who became stranded on the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip when it was closed by Egyptian authorities, stormed the terminal on Sunday to force officials to allow passage. The crossing point, which was shut ostensibly in response to terrorist activity in the area, was partially opened on Saturday and Sunday to allow humanitarian cases to pass through. Others, like students trying to reach their classes in Egyptian universities, remained stuck. The crossing was also opened last Wednesday for Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca. The Rafah crossing is the gateway to the world for 1.8 million Gazans.