Egypt relaxes border with Gaza to let pilgrims travel to Mecca
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Egypt opened its border with Gaza on Monday to let in hundreds of Palestinian pilgrims headed for Saudi Arabia - the first time Palestinians have been allowed to cross directly into Egypt since Hamas seized control of Gaza in June.
But the crossing quickly hit a snag when Egyptian riot police rushed to the border after passengers broke a crossing gate. The police surrounded the border terminal, stranding the travelers at midday, security officials in Egypt said. They were allowed to proceed after a delay of several hours, Hamas officials said.