EGYPT: Scores of Gazans flee to Egypt through Rafah crossing

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Scores of Palestinians are crossing into Egypt as stranded Gazans are taking full advantage of President Hosni Mubarak’s decision to open the Rafah border crossing following Israel’s deadly raid on six Gaza-bound aid ships Monday.

Speaking Wednesday to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, Egyptian officials confirmed that two buses carrying 150 Palestinians have reached the town of Rafah on the Egyptian side of the border. Hundreds more are expected to be hopping buses on their way out of the besieged Gaza strip over the next few days as Egyptian officials said that no time limit has been set for closing the crossing.

The Rafah border crossing, which is the only access point to Gaza out of Israel’s control, was only opened for few days every month to allow patients and medical assistance into Gaza from Egypt. However, the Israeli forces’ raid on the ship that left at least nine activists dead and hundreds of others from 37 nations detained, stirred worldwide dismay. That turned into anger among millions of Egyptians, who have blamed their regime for the Gaza blockade.

Anxiousness and pressure for a firm Egyptian reaction resulted in Mubarak’s decision to order a swift opening of the Rafah crossing on Tuesday.

In addition to Palestinians crossing, nine electric generators offered by the Egyptian Red Crescent were all allowed into the Gaza strip among vehicles carrying medical aid and food supplies.

Gaza has been under siege since the Islamic resistance movement Hamas ousted the Palestinian Authority from the strip in 2007.

-- Amro Hassan in Cairo