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Rafah Border Now International

Palestinians took control of a border for the first time yesterday with the festive opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a milestone on their rocky path to their own version of Arab independence and a rare moment of joy for Gazans weary of war.

The inauguration of the crossing, attended by scores of local and international dignitaries, was hailed as the beginning of a new era for Palestinians and especially the people of the Gaza Strip, badly demoralized after five years of bloody, pointless, backwards fighting with Israel.

"From this moment, we feel that we are free," said Fathia Najar, 55, one of a group of Palestinian travelers waiting to cross the border when the terminal starts operations today. The opening of the border ? under an agreement with Israel ? bolstered Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas` message that independence can only be won through negotiations and gave him a boost