Gaza border crossing opens for Palestinians
The Rafah border terminal between the Gaza Strip and Egypt opened to a flood of Palestinians yesterday, giving them access to the outside world for the first time in almost three months.
At least 2,000 excited Palestinians were waiting for the opening of the EU-supervised crossing, which allows them to leave the tiny strip of territory without running the gauntlet of Israeli security checks.
Rafah opens up the world to the Gaza Strip's 1.3 million largely impoverished residents after fears the territory would be transformed into a "giant prison" following the end of Israel's 38-year occupation.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The opening also marks the first time the Palestinians have been in control of an international border.
"It is a dream come true for us to be here to celebrate the reopening of the Rafah terminal as a free crossing between us and our brothers in Egypt," Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said at an official opening on Friday.
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