To the West Bank

    Hundreds of Palestinians, most allied to Fatah, fled Gaza by land and sea on Saturday to the West Bank. Israel later closed the Erez Crossing, even as many still tried to leave the Strip. Israel Defense Forces troops fired into the air to keep back dozens of Fatah activists trying to escape through Erez. Israel's security establishment has prepared for the possibility that many Palestinians would arrive at Erez, and bolstered security arrangements at the crossing, media reported. Israel Radio quoted Fauzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, as urging Palestinians arriving at the crossing to return to their homes. He pledged that no harm would come to those who return to their homes after attempting to flee. The radio also said that Hamas members had placed roadblocks and barriers on roads leading to the Erez and Rafah crossings, in order to prevent Fatah officials from fleeing. Some 50 Fatah officials and 150 foreign aid workers and reporters have fled Gaza in the wake of the fighting, the radio reported.(21,14)