Thousands of Palestinians made their way from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip into Egypt on Wednesday after militants partially destroyed a wall on the Gaza-Egypt border, as Israel's blockade of Gaza entered its sixth day. A decision to impose a blockade was taken following almost daily rocket attacks from the enclave on Israeli border regions.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said he gave his personal permission for Palestinians to enter his country to buy food, as Gaza residents should not be left to starve due to Israel's blockade.
The United Nations has said that Israel is imposing "collective punishment" on Gaza.
Israeli authorities on Thursday called on Israelis currently in Egypt to urgently return home due to the increased threat of terrorist attacks.
