Egyptian border police have used water cannon to stop thousands of Palestinians from forcing their way over the border from the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinians threw rocks at troops, who have allowed only a small number of people through the crossing since temporarily re-opening it on Tuesday.

The opening was intended to help those stranded or needing medical treatment.

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The Egyptian authorities are sending reinforcements to the Rafah crossing and are threatening a total closure, according to unnamed security sources, quoted by Reuters news agency.

Cement delivery

Earlier, Israel reopened three goods border crossings with Gaza, a day after it closed them in response to a Palestinian rocket attack.

Israeli military officials said five truck-loads of cement would be allowed into Gaza during the day - the first such delivery for a year.

About 26 sick Palestinians would also be taken to Israel for medical treatment, officials said.

Israel and Palestinian militants who control Gaza have accused each other of breaking a truce agreed in June.

During that time, rocket fire at nearby Israeli towns by Palestinian militants has increased, although there have been just a handful of attacks since the truce.

Since the blockade, Israel has only allowed in goods for humanitarian purposes, which has prevented any rebuilding of Gaza's war-torn infrastructure.

(BBC)

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