Palestinians took control of border traffic for the first time ever today, allowing thousands to cross into Egypt from the Gaza Strip in a limited opening of the joint frontier.

The Egyptian-Gaza border appeared calm early today after three days of unhindered crossings by thousands of people.

ISRAEL warned yesterday it has intelligence suggesting militants will try to disrupt its summit with Palestinians at an Egyptian Red Sea resort today.

Gunfire erupted at an Israel-Gaza checkpoint where Palestinians were about to cross at the beginning of an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca today.

US President George Bush called on Arab leaders today to fight terror at every turn on the road to peace.