Egyptian troops sealed the breached border with the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning, ending 11 days of free movement for Palestinians living in the blockaded territory.



Gazans remaining in Egypt and Egyptians visiting Gaza were allowed across the border, now reinforced with steel beams and newly poured concrete, but security officials prevented any new cross-border movement, according to witnesses.

A Palestinian armed member of the Hamas forces arrests a Palestinian man who tried to cross the now-sealed breached part of the border wall between Egypt and Gaza, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on Sunday. ((Adel Hana/Associated Press))

For the last week and a half, hundreds of thousands of Gazans have been stocking up on supplies in the neighbouring country.

Militants from Hamas blew up sections of the dividing wall on Jan. 23 in response to an Israeli-imposed blockade, which began after the extremist movement gained control of Gaza last June.

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said after meeting with Egyptian officials on Saturday that the closure would be temporary while the Egyptians search for a way to reopen the border.

There has been no comment from the Egyptian government on future control of the border.

At least 17 Palestinians have been arrested in recent days carrying weapons and explosives near the border and other remote parts of the Sinai desert.

There is no fence along the desert border between Israel and Egypt, and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Sunday a barrier should be constructed.

"Building a fence on the Israel-Egypt border is a pressing need," Barak told an Israeli cabinet meeting, saying the move would protect Israel from militant infiltrations and cross-border smuggling.