Hamas forces open Gaza-Egypt crossing

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RAFAH, Gaza Strip - Palestinian militants forced open a border gate Friday between Egypt and Gaza, letting hundreds of people pour across despite warning shots from Israeli helicopter gunships.

At least 600 people - mostly students and patients trapped at the border in the weeks the Rafah crossing was closed - passed freely over the frontier. Six militants stood by, periodically firing in the air, witnesses and Palestinian security said.

Also Friday, the United States pledged $50 million for Palestinian refugees, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged Washington to pressure Israel to end its military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Abbas told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a telephone call that he was making every effort to end the Gaza crisis, Abbas' office said.

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