STATUS OF GAZA EGYPT BORDER SEPTEMBER 15

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 007210

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2015
TAGS: PREL KPAL PINS IS EG
SUBJECT: STATUS OF GAZA EGYPT BORDER SEPTEMBER 15

REF: CAIRO 7158

Classified by ECPO MinCouns Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Egyptian forces effectively controlled the
Egyptian side of the Gaza border September 15, dividing
responsibilities between 350 police to the north of the Rafah
terminal and 400 Border Guards to the south. Palestinians
were on their way out of Egypt and only Egyptians with ID
cards were being allowed to return through the barrier into
Egypt. GOE actions on this issue balance the desire to
appear supportive of Palestinians in their exuberance at
Israeli withdrawal, with security concerns related to
extremists in Gaza. End summary.


2. (C) As of September 15, DAO officer on the Gaza border
reports Egyptian forces have taken the following steps to
control the border between Egypt and Gaza:

--deployed approx. 400 Border Guards along the border fence
south of the Rafah terminal, particularly at breaches in the
barrier which they are blocking with concertina wire and
other material.

--increased the number of Central Security Force (CSF)
policemen along the border and stationed 350 along the fence
between the Rafah terminal and the sea.

--opened four temporary control points to the north of the
Rafah terminal where Egyptians are being allowed to return to
Egypt upon presentation of Egyptian IDs.

--CSF police were observed using 4 foot canes (a common riot
control implement) to prevent Palestinians from entering
through a breach in the fence.

--expelled illegal Palestinians from El Arish to the border.

--were to meet at 1500 local time with the IDF at the Kerem
Shalom crossing point to discuss security coordination.


3. (C) Contrary to the situation on September 14, the
Egyptians have moved decisively on September 15 to control
the Gaza border. There is clear evidence of an organized
plan for control of pedestrian traffic. Interestingly,
instead of deploying Border Guards along the whole of the
Gaza stretch of border, the Egyptians have deployed these
forces only south of the Rafah terminal where there are no
population centers. CSF police are deployed to the north of
the terminal where the buildings approach the border and most
Palestinians have sought to cross. This decision appears
based partly on the fact that the full 750 border guards have
not yet arrived at the border, but more importantly likely on
a desire to have civilian police confronting Palestinians,
rather than military Border Guards. According to Egyptian
military officials, more Border Guards will arrive at the
border on September 16, although they did not know if this
would complete the planned 750-man deployment. Border Guard
APCs are at the border but have been kept in camps.


4. (C) Four provisional crossing points have been
established to the north of the border terminal at Rafah
(which is closed to all traffic). These gaps in the fence,
manned by CSF police, are being used to allow Palestinians to
return to Gaza. Egyptians who can prove they are nationals
are being allowed to return through these crossing points
from Gaza. Control appears to be on the basis of national ID
cards. DAO officer observed some goods being permitted to
pass through these points including foodstuffs and gasoline
in jerry cans. Egyptian officials told the DAO officer that
goods being allowed across were for "humanitarian purposes"
to meet critical shortages in Gaza.


5. (C) All Palestinian traffic observed on September 15 was
from Egypt into Gaza. DAO officer witnessed a confrontation
between police and Palestinian youths trying to force their
way through a breach in the barrier. Police used four-foot
canes to beat those pressing to get through. There were no
obvious Palestinian crowds in the coastal city of El Arish,
and businesses reported a significant drop in sales.


6. (C) Egyptian military liaison officials said a meeting
would take place at 1500 local between Egyptian officials and
the Israeli Defense Forces at the Kerem Shalom crossing point
in Israel. DAO officer observed coordination between
Palestinian and Egyptian forces. Local press reported
September 15 that an Egyptian-Palestinian "coordination
committee" had been formed September 14 to address issues
related to border crossing.


7. (C) Comment: The Egyptians have taken decisive steps to
control the Gaza border. However, an over-riding policy
consideration is GOE desire to appear to be supportive of
Palestinian joy at the ability to cross over a border that
has been closed to them for almost four decades. However,
this tendency is balanced by equal concern over possible
threats from Gaza. Opposition newspaper "Wafd" ran a front
page story September 15 reporting Palestinian extremists
apparent use of explosives to blow a hole in the barrier the
previous day as an example of the possible dangers from Gaza.


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