Meanwhile, in Egypt, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the border breach that sent more than half-a-million Palestinians into Egypt searching for food, fuel and medical relief. After the talks, Abbas said he had reiterated his refusal to deal with the Gaza-controlling Hamas.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: “There is no Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. There is one Palestinian Authority. Hamas is not a legal force, it is a usurping force.”

Hamas forces currently have ground control of the Egyptian border. Hamas is seeking recognition of its authority and says the border should remain open.