Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.

Gaza-Egypt Border Closed Following Armed Blockade
-------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1060090:3919ACA Palestinian
security officials and witnesses say scores of policemen stormed Rafah
compound Friday, and took up positions alongside border patrol
officers at crossing Palestinian and European officials say the Gaza
Strip's border with Egypt has been closed after Palestinian police
blocked the main crossing point at Rafah.

Palestinian security officials and witnesses say scores of policemen
stormed the Rafah compound Friday, and took up positions alongside
border patrol officers at the crossing.

Officials say European observers responsible for monitoring the
crossing fled to the Israeli side of the Gaza border, fearing the
situation could turn violent.

Authorities say the police were angry over the killing of a fellow
police officer in a feud between families, and closed the border to
prevent the families from leaving.

The Rafah terminal was opened last month under a deal brokered by U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to further the Palestinian-Israeli
peace process. Some information for this report was provided by AP and
Reuters.


.