JERUSALEM, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The commander of the Palestinian national security in southern Gaza Strip, Gen. Jamal Kayed, said a formal border crossing to Egypt would open shortly.
Israel closed the Rafah Terminal, removed its equipment and insisted it check the people and goods that cross. It threatened to exclude the Gaza Strip from a customs envelope that also includes the West Bank unless it checks the goods.
Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip Monday and within hours Palestinians broke through the border fence to Egypt. Thousands celebrated their ability to cross freely.
Kayed said the border terminal would reopen within days after renovation work is completed, and no Israeli soldiers would be allowed, the Palestinian State Information Service reported Wednesday.
He said in a meeting with the Egyptians "we agreed on controlling movement."
Four battalions of 1,600 security men would deploy along Gaza's border with Egypt, he said. The Egyptians will have a Border Guard force of 750 people.
The Palestinian Ministry of Interior and National Security called on the Palestinians who crossed to Egypt to return immediately and ordered Egyptians who have entered Gaza to return within 24 hours, the State information service said.
