Security forces seal Gaza border

PALESTINIAN security forces sealed Gaza’s southern border early yesterday, halting a chaotic flood of people into Egypt in the past few days that began shortly after Israel withdrew from the area, officials said.

Adnan Barbach, a spokesman for the Palestinian National Security Forces, said all the gaps had been closed, and 2,000 personnel were deployed along the frontier. He said the Palestinians were working with Egypt to make sure all Gazans could return home.

Officers were seen patrolling the area early Sunday and preventing people from crossing. Angry Palestinians turned around but threatened to return with Hamas militants and homemade rockets. A helicopter hovered overhead.