More than 30,000 people attended the funeral of the Egyptian border guard Yasser Issawi, who was killed by the Palestinians on Sunday in turmoil triggered by Israel's assault on Gaza. The military funeral was attended by Kafr El-Sheikh Governor Ahmed Zaki Abdin. The victim's body was wrapped in the Egyptian flag. A large number of youths in Shabas Omier village (Kafr El-Sheikh) carried banners during the funeral expressing their anger and disgruntlement. They also chanted anti-Hamas slogans. One of the victim's relatives, called Fathi Abdel Shefi, said that what is going on is a catastrophe, as Hamas should kill the Israelis rather than the Egyptians. He added that Issawi, who left his wife and three children, was killed while he was opening the border crossing so that food, aid and medicines could reach the Palestinians.
Mohammed Issawi, a cousin of the victim, said Issawi hoped to be killed by the Israelis rather than Arabs and Muslims.
