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Last update - 19:08 09/04/2008 Egyptian troops go on alert, fear new Hamas bid to breach Gaza border By The Associated Press Tags: Israel, Egypt, Border, Gaza Egyptian troops went on alert Wednesday in the town of Rafah bordering Gaza, fearing Hamas militants may attempt to forcibly breach the border again, a security official said. Egypt's Foreign Ministry warned Palestinians in Gaza that any attempts to infringe upon the Egyptian borders will be met with a serious and firm position. In January, Hamas militants frustrated over a tightened Israeli closure of Gaza blew holes in the border partition, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to stream into Egypt unchecked for ten days and stock up on food and other goods made scarce by the blockade. Advertisement The security official said about a thousand troops near Gaza were put on alert after Egypt received intelligence that Hamas militants were preparing to bulldoze the rebuilt border and blow up the main crossing gate with mines. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. On Tuesday, Hamas politician Khalil al-Haya described the situation in Gaza as no longer bearableand renewed threats to breach the border again. Hamas has ruled Gaza since it seized control from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah forces in June. Israel later sealed off Gaza in response to ongoing rocket attacks from the coastal strip. This measure caused shortages of fuel and other goods and increasing economic hardship for many of the 1.4 million residents of the impoverished strip. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned that any move to breach the border again would hurt the Palestinian cause and undermine efforts to end the Israeli embargo on Gaza. The ministry statement criticized the timing of the Hamas threats. It said they coincided with the concocted problems inside Egypt, an apparent reference to this week's deadly riots over rising food prices. Egyptian Police also reported discovering a large cache of explosives along the Egypt-Israeli border, 60 kilometers south of Rafah, a town divided by the Gaza-Egypt border. The large underground chamber showed signs of long-term use and contained 1,250 kilograms of explosives, 24 anti-tank mines and assault rifles. Police found the cache in a remote mountains Hadhira area with the aid of Bedouin trackers who are now scouring the area for suspects, the security official said. Related articles: ANALYSIS: Gaza border breach shows Israel that Hamas is in charge Palestinian poll says Gaza border breach boosted Hamas' popularity At Gaza border with Egypt, masses make reverse exodus into Sinai Bookmark to del.icio.us   Carter's contacts Report: Ex-U.S. president Carter to meet with Hamas leader in Syria. Warning shouts Officer: Palestinians warned Israelis of terrorist infiltration.   1.   Egypt alert means just one thing: 20:53  |  Mike 09/04/08   2.   Better be carefull Mubarak 23:20  |  Mark B. 09/04/08   3.   I do not blame them 04:47  |  Mark Lincoln 10/04/08   4.   Egypt once OWNED Gaza 05:16  |  Akiva P 10/04/08   5.   Why is this sort of "news" no longer news? 05:34  |  Akiva P 10/04/08

Read & React Israel plans diplomatic offensive to show Hamas behind deadly border raid Responses: 75 Israel having hard time establishing effective deterrent against terror Responses: 42 Vatican cardinal: Jews too 'emotional' over Good Friday prayer Responses: 67 Israel Harel: Peace Now sinned by blaming absence of peace on Israel Responses: 34 Rosner's Domain Obama should prepare the world for disappointment And pro-Palestinians have high hopes for him (WTR) McCain thinks that Hagee wants peace (WTR) Guest: Who's going to take down Iran? Shut Up, I'm Talking! a dialogue More Headlines 17:37 2 Palestinians arrested for plot to poison Ramat Gan diners 16:11 Israeli think tank: Hamas has 20,000 armed men in Gaza Strip 14:28 Israel's Olympic Cmte. head slams attempt to boycott Beijing games 15:01 Israel plans int'l campaign to show Hamas behind Wed. attack 16:26 Barbed wire erected to prevent Israel-Lebanon border violations 15:10 Rabbis say AM:PM to close on Shabbat 11:01 Policy at Gaza crossings won't change following terror attack 14:31 Remand extended for suspected head of crime ring in South 15:08 'I worried customs would disappear' 14:21 German parliament marks Nazis' 1933 destruction of democracy 15:23 Cairo sources: Egypt bars commercial trucks from Rafah 13:01 Study: Israel leads the world in number of computers per capita 12:34 Four members of Petah Tikva neo-Nazi cell convicted in plea deal Previous Editions Select Day 09 apr 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar

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