Israel eyes Gaza refugees

Israel’s justice minister said Palestinians fleeing the chaos in the Gaza Strip should be allowed to cross to the West Bank. Hundreds of Fatah members and their relatives have been gathering at the Erez terminal on the border with Israel since the Hamas takeover of Gaza last week begging to be allowed out. Most want refuge in the West Bank, where there is more political stability under a Fatah administration. “The State of Israel should facilitate their passage, as long as they are not Hamas members and do not endanger security,” Israel Radio quoted Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann as saying. But while some senior Fatah commanders have been allowed out through Erez, Israeli security officials said a larger exodus was hard to coordinate given Hamas’ de facto control of the border.