Day 3: Gaza

OK, I know that I told everyone that I wouldn't go into Gaza or the West Bank. I woke up this morning (Monday) at 4:00am, and drove to the Kissufim Crossing border into Gaza. My plan was to just sit tight at the border, to see what was going on. After driving through numerous check points I made it to the Gaza checkpoint at 6:00 which is a closed military zone. I sat and waited, and waited and studied the checkpoint while busses, jeeps and private cars of Israel soldiers and police streamed into Gaza.
There were a few still photographers there, and other TV people. I waited in my rental car, when another photographer approached the passenger side window. We discussed entering into Gaza, and decided to give it a shot. As we approached the check point, I followed the car ahead tightly, and when asked to stop flashed my Passport and Press badge, my partner flashed his badge, and we were waved through.
There was an instant connection with my new travel partner, an Israeli photojournalist teacher, Yoav. We both knew we would look out for one another. Entering into Gaza, I asked if he had been here before. "A few times" "Which is an understatement" 12 years ago he was in the army, and stationed in southern Gaza with the task of protecting the settlements. We drove past army soldiers on the side of the road, tanks, and bulldozers. It can be a dangerous road, but not today. The Israel army was set on showing a strong presence, and their soldiers were everywhere.