Rafah Terminal, Gaza Strip, SPA -- Hundreds of Palestinianscrowded the Rafah terminal on the Gaza-Egypt borderSaturday, eager to cross on the first day of operationsfollowing a festive inauguration. The terminal is being managed by the PalestinianAuthority, with the help of European monitors, part of aU.S.-mediated deal with Israel. The opening marks the firsttime Palestinians take control of a border, without Israeliveto powers, and was celebrated by Palestinians as a steptoward independence. On Saturday, hundreds of travelers thronged the outer gateof Rafah in southern Gaza, the first of several checkpointsbefore travelers reach passport control, The Associated Press reported.--SPA1315 Local Time 1015 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/305537