Egyptian Soldiers Fortify Gaza Border

Egyptian soldiers fortified the country’s border with Gaza Friday, forming a human chain and installing barbed wire.

The move comes as a response to the tens of thousands of Palestinians who have crossed back and forth since concrete and metal walls at the Rafah border crossing were damaged from the Palestinian side Wednesday, CNN reported Friday.

The Palestinians were bringing goods into Gaza from Egypt after Israel sealed its border with the territory as part of its campaign against rocket attacks fired from the region into Israel.

CNN said it is not yet clear whether the soldiers intend to halt the Palestinian border crossings or police them.

Witnesses said large numbers of Palestinians — as many or more than in previous days — were at the border as soldiers arrived Friday.

The United States and Israel have called for Egypt to close the border due to fears that extremists could enter Gaza undetected.