Rafah: Egyptian reinforcement after confrontation with the Palestinians

Egypt on Tuesday increased number of the policemen deployed at the Rafah crossing following the clashes that took place between the Egyptian policemen and 1500 Palestinians held by the Israeli security men at that crossing.

An official at the Egyptian security refused to be identified said that 150 policemen were positioned in the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, following minor clashes erupted between the held Palestinians at the crossing and the Egyptian security forces.

The Palestinians who fear of long detention in the open air tried to enter the waiting hall at the building of the border center.

The Egyptian official added the Palestinians were prevented from doing so and were pushed out before the two sides exchanged insults and bad words but soon calm was restored. He said that the aim of these reinforcement is to " ensure the security of the Palestinians and to arrange " their wait.

He explained that the 1500 held Palestinians in the Egyptian side of the borders since July 20 " installed two big tents by the Egyptian authorities outside the building of the border center."