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Gazans stream into Egypt
23/01/2008 14:43 - (SA)
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| Palestinians pour into Egypt to buy food, fuel and supplies, after militants exploded the wall between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. (Hatem Moussa, AP) |
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Adel Zaanoun
Rafah - By foot, on donkey carts and tractors, in cars. Gazans streamed out of what they call their open-air prison on Wednesday to stock up on cheaper goods in Egypt after militants blew the border wall open.
Soon after powerful explosions brought down the series of walls separating Gaza from Egypt near the town of Rafah, men, women and children began to scramble over the mangled barriers to the other side under a light rain.
Within hours, a human tide of tens of thousands was streaming through, taking advantage of a rare chance to leave the overcrowded coastal strip without hindrance.
Israel has severely restricted movement in and out of Gaza for more than a year, all the more so since June 2007 after the Islamist Hamas seized power in the territory.
While most rushed to stock up on goods - much cheaper in Egypt - some took advantage for a family visit and others just came to take a look around.
Ahmad Halaweh grabbed all the savings that he had and rushed over to stock up on cigarettes.
"I brought all the money that I had, around $100 (R700)," he told AFP. "I am going to buy cigarettes here and then resell them in Gaza. And if I can I'll come back during the day to buy more cartons."
Prices have skyrocketed
With Israel severely restricting movement of both people and goods in and out of Gaza for months, prices inside the territory have skyrocketed compared to those inside Egypt.
On the Egyptian side, shops opened early to serve the unexpected customers, with owners not being fussy about mode of payment - Israeli shekels, Egyptian pounds, dollars and euros were all briskly changing hands.
Electronic products, from cell phones to televisions, disappeared off store shelves.
One Gaza farmer bought 20 sheep, which he tied to the back of his van before heading back.
Crossing closed since 2005
Since Israel withdrew its settlers and soldiers from Gaza in 2005, the Rafah crossing has been closed almost the entire time.
The 14km that run from the Mediterranean Sea to Gaza's southern-most point are marked by cement walls, in some places topped by barbed wire. The Egyptian side is patrolled by 750 paramilitaries, carrying small arms, and an unspecified number of unarmed police.
The terminal itself is operated under the auspices of European Union observers, but can only function when it has the okay from Israeli authorities.
- AFP
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