The Palestinians threw rocks at troops, who have allowed only a small number of people through the crossing since temporarily re-opening it on Tuesday.

The opening was intended to help those stranded or needing medical treatment.

Gaza has been under a tight Israeli blockade for a year, since the militant Hamas movement took control.

The Egyptian authorities are sending reinforcements to the Rafah crossing and are threatening a total closure, according to unnamed security sources, quoted by Reuters news agency.

Cement delivery

Earlier, Israel reopened three goods border crossings with Gaza, a day after it closed them in response to a Palestinian rocket attack.

Israeli military officials said five truck-loads of cement would be allowed into Gaza during the day - the first such delivery for a year.

About 26 sick Palestinians would also be taken to Israel for medical treatment, officials said.

Israel and Palestinian militants who control Gaza have accused each other of breaking a truce agreed in June.

During that time, rocket fire at nearby Israeli towns by Palestinian militants has increased, although there have been just a handful of attacks since the truce.

Since the blockade, Israel has only allowed in goods for humanitarian purposes, which has prevented any rebuilding of Gaza's war-torn infrastructure.

(BBC)

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