Palestinians crowd TV sets to tune in on the latest in nationwide protests demanding the ousting of longtime Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Many who met with PIC correspondents said outcomes in Egypt will have an impact on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, not only because of the geographical proximity, but also because of political ties.

"What is happening to the Egyptian regime is a curse from inaction with the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza," said Abu Maheeb, a West Bank shop owner.

"The siege, hunger and death brought to the Gaza Strip by the regime is being recompensed at the hands of the Egyptians," he added.

"What is happening is an answer to the prayers of widows and orphans who have been left homeless by the regime's ban on construction materials and medicines."

"The removal of the regime will remove the tragedy and siege of Gaza, Allah willing."

Umm Khaldoon, whose son had been sentenced to years in PA security prisons, expressed joy over the Egyptian protests.

"The Egyptian regime played a major role in supporting the PA security militias, which have abducted and tortured our people," she said.

"The regime backed the resolve of the Abbas authority and militias when brokering reconciliation issues during disputes between Fatah and Hamas," she said.

"The end of the unjust regime in Egypt will accelerate the end of the Abbas authority and militias," she went on to say.

Abu Mohammed Ishtayeh, a taxi driver, said as he follows details of the Egyptian revolution he is reminded of the first Palestinian Intifada (uprising) in 1987. He expressed admiration for the Egyptians and their discipline in maintaining their rights.

"The Palestinians taught the world to rise up against injustice. Their turn will come to rise against Abbas and his unjust militias."

PIC/AB