Israel has also demanded that the Palestinians seal the border with Egypt. "The Palestinian Authority [P.A.] is facing a supreme test of its credibility," Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad told Army Radio. "They look like they're running a system which has neither law nor order, neither organization nor authority." Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas admits that mistakes were made but said his forces are regaining control of the border. Today, fewer Palestinians were able to cross the frontier than the thousands seen earlier this week.