Preparing for a complete closure, Egyptian riot police allowed Gazans and Egyptians to cross back to their homes, but barred new crossborder movement. Hamas police helped Egyptian troops direct traffic.
Hamas hopes a new border arrangement can be negotiated that would end Egypt's sealing of the territory, imposed in June in tandem with an Israeli blockade.
An Egyptian diplomat said, however, that Hamas infuriated Egypt with its boasts that it would not let the border close again. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
In Cairo, Suleiman Awwad, a spokesman for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, struck a harsh tone Sunday.
"Egypt is a respected state, its border cannot be breached and its soldiers should not be lobbed with stones," Awwad said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.