Palestinians open a gate to the world

The Palestinians took control of a border for the first time with the festive opening today of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt – a milestone on their rocky path to independence and a rare moment of joy for fenced-in Gazans.

The inauguration of the crossing, attended by scores of local and international dignitaries, was hailed as the beginning of a new era for Palestinians, but especially the people of Gaza, badly demoralised after five years of bloody fighting with Israel.