Police storm Gaza crossing point
Dozens of Palestinian policemen, angry at the growing lawlessness in the Gaza Strip, have stormed the southern border crossing at Rafah, officials say.
The police, backed by gunmen from the Fatah party, blocked access to the crossing with Egypt and forced European Union monitors manning it to flee.
On Wednesday, a UK human rights worker was kidnapped a short distance away.
The Palestinian Authority took control of the crossing last month after a deal brokered by the United States.
Under the terms of the agreement, EU monitors must be present for the crossing to operate.
Julio de la Guardia, a spokesman for the EU monitors, said the Palestinian police had advised them to leave and that they temporarily withdrawn to the Israeli-controlled border crossing at Kerem Shalom.
"Rafah crossing is closed because the monitors left," he told Reuters.
The monitors are expected to return as soon as it is safe to do so.
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says the demonstration at the gate was not aimed at the European presence; it is understood to have been linked to internal Palestinian tensions.
The shutting of the border now under these circumstances is just one more example of how chaotic the security situation in Gaza has become, our correspondent says.
Lawlessness
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There have been a spate of kidnappings, armed takeovers of government buildings, and gun battles in Gaza since Israel withdrew in September after 37 years of military occupation.
On Thursday, a policeman and another man were end in a clan feud that began when a man was arrested.
Shooting then broke out throughout Gaza, with one gunfight taking place outside to the home of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
On Wednesday, British aid worker Kate Burton was kidnapped along with her mother and father, who were visiting her.
The three were travelling in a car 200m from Rafah crossing when they were approached by gunmen, police said.
The kidnappers forced them to leave their car and go with them. Security vehicles gave chase but eventually lost the car.
Other westerners seized in recent weeks have all been released unharmed but after more than a day and a half without news, this case is causing growing concern.
But Palestinian officials say they do not know where the family is and have not heard from the kidnappers.
Protests for their release have been held in Gaza.
Published: 2005-12-30 09:46:38 GMT
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