Palestinians protesting against an Israeli-led blockade formed a human chain today along roads in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and Israel threatened to use force if they tried to surge into its territory.
Hundreds of women and children, many holding Palestinian and Hamas flags, turned out for the start of what organizers said they hoped would be a peaceful protest involving some 50,000 people and draw international attention.
Gaza's isolation intensified when Islamist Hamas took control of the area in June after street fighting in which it routed Fatah forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has embarked on peace talks with Israel.
Last month, Israel tightened the blockade on the territory, home to 1.5 million Palestinians, limiting supplies of fuel and other goods in what it called a response to cross-border rocket fire by militants.
"We call on the liberals of the world to rescue Gaza from darkness," one protest banner read.
Israeli troops garrisoned along the closely monitored, fenced frontier with the Gaza Strip were on high alert and paramilitary riot police on standby. Israeli officials urged Hamas to keep the rally in check.
"I hope that, ultimately, they understand that we are deployed and ready, that this will not be a repeat of what happened in the Philadelphi Corridor (Egypt border) a few weeks back," Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai told Israel Radio.
Hamas blew open Gaza's border wall with Egypt last month, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to cross into Egypt and stock up with food and other goods.
Israel voiced fears the flood of people included Islamist militants intent on carrying out attacks in the Jewish state, and Egyptian security forces rounded up hundreds of suspects.
"We don't plan to fool around in this regard," Vilnai said. "We will use measures in the way we deem necessary to prevent people breaking into the state of Israel's territory."
Asked if Israeli forces might resort to live fire, Vinai said: "Anything that must be done, will be done."