Celebration mixed with tragedy on the first day of Palestinian control of Gaza, as thousands swarmed through abandoned Jewish settlements while others scaled the walls between Gaza and Egypt in both directions, raising Israeli concerns about whether Palestinian and Egyptian security can control the territory and its border.
Uncontrolled elation led to excesses on Monday, drawing criticism from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Four people drowned in the Mediterranean after Palestinians flocked to the long-forbidden beach. Another Palestinian died during gunfire at the sensitive Egypt-Gaza border, where all semblance of order broke down.
Concerned about the potential for weapons smuggling, Israel initially hesitated to leave the Gaza-Egypt border as part of the pullout. It agreed only after the Egyptian government promised to deploy 750 troops on the frontier to stop the smuggling.
PHOTO: EPA
But the border turned to chaos just hours after the Israelis withdrew early on Monday. Hundreds of Palestinians climbed over -- or went around -- the towering border wall on the Gaza side and then jumped over the low wall on the Egyptian side. Hooded Palestinian gunmen stood atop the Palestinian wall.
Guards later shot and killed one Palestinian when dozens of teens tried to climb over the border, Palestinian security officials said.
Raising a flag at the Rafah border crossing, Abbas scolded his celebrating people.
"It is absolutely unacceptable for the border to be stormed," Abbas said. "We must resolve this problem in a civilized manner."
Important issues lie ahead for both sides, including a decision over who will control the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt and whether Gaza will be allowed to open a seaport and airport, providing it unfettered links to the outside world. Israel retains control of Gaza's airspace and coastal waters.
On Monday, the Israeli regional army commander, Major General Dan Harel, signed an order canceling Israeli military rule in Gaza.
Control of the border was seen as a first test for the Palestinian Authority's rule over Gaza and Egypt's ability to control the border. Several trucks filled with armed Hamas and Islamic Jihad gunmen patrolled the border road on Monday. Few Palestinian police could be seen.
Though some Egyptian soldiers warned the Palestinians to stay on their side of the wall, many smiled and shook hands with teenagers who climbed over. One Gazan unsuccessfully tried to buy an Egyptian soldier's rifle.
There was some traffic in the other direction as well, as Egyptians climbed into Gaza. Many of those climbing over the border were boys smuggling cartons of cigarettes into Gaza.
Egyptian border guards said they were letting the Palestinians blow off steam and visit relatives on the Egyptian side that they have not seen in years.
But they said that they would tighten security in the coming days.
Israel expressed its concern to the Egyptians, according to an Israeli official speaking on condition of anonymity.
"Egypt has to prevent weapons smuggling at the Philadelphi corridor," Israeli lawmaker Ephraim Sneh told Israel Radio on Tuesday. "This is their test and this is how they will be judged. We didn't bring them there for anything else."
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