Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO7158
2005-09-14 12:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

STATUS OF GAZA-EGYPT BORDER SECURITY: SEPTEMBER 14.

Tags:  PREL KPAL PINS IS EG 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007158 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2015
TAGS: PREL KPAL PINS IS EG
SUBJECT: STATUS OF GAZA-EGYPT BORDER SECURITY: SEPTEMBER 14.


Classified by DCM Stuart E. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007158

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2015
TAGS: PREL KPAL PINS IS EG
SUBJECT: STATUS OF GAZA-EGYPT BORDER SECURITY: SEPTEMBER 14.


Classified by DCM Stuart E. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Embassy officers on the scene report that
the Egyptian Rafah border terminal is technically closed to
pedestrian traffic going either way but that efforts to
secure the border are moving slowly. In the 5km stretch to
the north of the terminal, hundreds of Palestinians are
transferring goods from Egypt back to Gaza. Security sources
in Cairo tell us they have set a deadline of 1800 for all
Palestinians (many shopping in nearby Egyptian town of El
Arish) to depart Egypt back to Gaza or they will be arrested
for illegally entering the country. This deadline is being
publicized on the border but Emboffs on the border doubt that
this deadline can be enforced today given the numbers of
Palestinians in the El Arish area. End summary.


2. (C) Embassy officers at the border report that Egyptian
interior ministry security forces and Border Guards are
deployed along the border and have begun efforts to restrict
the flow of hundreds of Palestinians crossing back and forth
across the border. Security officials say the border is
technically closed to traffic either way, but measures to
control movement have not yet significantly restricted the
flow.


3. (C) Emboffs report that most of the Palestinians have
crossed to purchase goods in the Egyptian coastal city of El
Arish 50 kilometers from the border. One El Arish
restauranteur gleefully told Emboffs, "business has been
booming" since the withdrawal. Emboffs observed no vehicles
crossing the border in either direction, but local Egyptian
pickup taxis were ferrying Palestinians back and forward to
El Arish. Consumer goods including foodstuffs, cigarettes,
and electronics made up the majority of the significant
quantity of merchandise being transferred back across the
border to Gaza.


4. (C) The Embassy has contacted liaison and security forces
to gain information on next steps re border control. These
sources report that an 1800 deadline has been established by
which time all Palestinians must return to Gaza or face
arrest for entering Egypt illegally. Emboffs report that
this deadline is being publicized on the border but note that
given the large number of Palestinians in the El Arish area,
it is unlikely this deadline can be enforced.


5. (C) While the Egyptians are moving very slowly to control
the border, this issue is obviously a priority for Egypt from
the aspect of domestic security. We recommend that press
guidance on this issue follow the following lines:

--We are in touch with all the parties and we share their
concerns on the seriousness of the developments on the
Gaza-Egypt border following the IDF withdrawal from Gaza.

--It is clear that the parties are moving to address this
situation and are coordinating a response. We refer you to
the authorities concerned for specific measures being taken.

--The Egyptians are deploying Border Guards ahead of the
agreed timetable for securing the Gaza border. They have
also sent additional police to the border to control the
situation.

--We will remain in touch with the parties as they address
this issue.



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