Egyptian police closed a major crossing between Egypt and Gaza on Friday, stringing barbed wire across the border post and chaining the gates. The action was in protest to the kidnapping of six police officers and a military border guard by Islamist gunmen on Thursday. The abductors demanded the release of militants imprisoned on the Egyptian side in exchange for their captives. Although one policeman was released as a sign of goodwill, no information has been given on the other six men. Meanwhile, hundreds are stranded on both sides of the fence.
