LOC20:59
17:59 GMT
CAIRO, May 13 (KUNA) -- Egyptian army and police on Friday blocked access
to Sinai peninsula to prevent thousands of Egyptian activists from marching to
the besieged Gaza Strip.
The march is meant to protest the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land
and call for the right of return of Palestinian refugees and the release of
all Palestinian prisoners.
The army has warned against rallies at the Rafah border crossing with the
Gaza Strip, beefed up security measures around the peninsula.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Egyptians gathered near the Israeli embassy in Cairo
on Friday to demand the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and the severance
of ties with Israel.
From the start of the day, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians took to the
streets across the nation to call for more support to Palestinians.
The gatherings in Cairo, Alexandria and El-Arish come amidst preparations
by activists to organize a march to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, May 15 -- which
Palestinians mark as the anniversary of their 1948 displacement following the
establishment of Israel on the rubble of their country.
ez.ibi
KUNA 132059 May 11NNNN