Gaza Sites Are Awash With Palestinians on a New Shore

[Scurrilous]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-gaza13sep13,0,7449549.story?coll=la-home-world

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"Ahmed Akil put a cautious bare toe into the water, then waded in up to his bluejeancovered knees. Then, laughing, he flung himself fully clothed into the surf.

The 14-year-old from the Khan Yunis refugee camp, less than two miles from the coast, had never before seen the sparkling stretch of Mediterranean beach that fronted the Jewish settlement block of Gush Katif. On Monday, he and thousands of Palestinians — robed women, ragged children, even weapons-toting militants — flocked to what for decades had been a forbidden shore.

"Finally," Ahmed said, emerging sputtering, slick-haired and sand-coated, "I am swimming in our sea. Our very own sea."

Hours after the last Israeli armored vehicles rumbled out of the Gaza Strip at first light, ending a nearly four-decade military occupation, the day was given over to rejoicing in what is normally a notably grim little corner of the world.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, eschewing his usual suit and tie for an open-collared shirt and baseball cap, visited several former settlements to hail what he called a day of freedom for Palestinians.

"Here we are on this piece of land that was taboo for us for 38 years," he said. "Our people deserve to celebrate."