Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO7297
2005-09-20 09:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

GAZA-EGYPT BORDER SECURITY UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 18

Tags:  PREL PTER MOPS KPAL PINS EG IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007297 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS KPAL PINS EG IS
SUBJECT: GAZA-EGYPT BORDER SECURITY UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 18

REF: A. CAIRO 7210

B. CAIRO 7158

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

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007297

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS KPAL PINS EG IS
SUBJECT: GAZA-EGYPT BORDER SECURITY UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 18

REF: A. CAIRO 7210

B. CAIRO 7158

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

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) Embassy officers at the Rafah border September 18
reported that formal GOE border terminals remain closed, as
civilian two-way foot traffic to and from Egypt continues at
modest levels through monitored gaps in security fences on
the Egyptian side of the border north of the Rafah Terminal.
The majority of foot traffic was Palestinians returning from
Egypt into Gaza. The Egyptian security presence along the
full stretch of the border continues to expand and efforts
are being made to repair breaches in the fences at seven
locations north of Rafah Terminal. Egyptian officers are
checking identification papers of all those seeking access
to/from Egypt while Palestinian shoppers continue to buy up
commercial goods in El Arish, doubling prices and emptying
shelves throughout the city and surrounding towns. Large
quantities of consumer goods are being taken back on foot to
Gaza with little to no physical inspection by GOE border
officials. Dollars and shekels remain the currency of
choice. End summary.

--------------
September 18 Observations
--------------


2. (C) Embassy officers located at the Rafah-Gaza border
area September 17 and 18 report that Egyptian security force
deployments have increased overall, but that the flow of
pedestrians through seven unofficial locations north of the
Rafah Terminal continues. Additionally, Emboffs were told
that of the 11 holes cut in the fence on the Egyptian side of
the border, four had already been repaired/sealed. Egyptian
Border Guard Force (BGF) elements, along with Central
Security forces were reportedly stationed at the seven
remaining locations. All those seeking to cross the no-man
zone from Egypt to Gaza must first show proper identification
papers. Egyptians returning from Gaza also must show proper
Egyptian ID papers to be permitted back into Egypt.
Palestinians in Egypt without proper ID are reportedly being
handed over to PA security officials along the border to be
interviewed. Palestinian Authority security officials appear
to have plugged major breaches in the concrete and metal
barriers that were reportedly destroyed by Palestinian
militants.


3. (C) On the night of September 17, Emboffs reported seeing
"throngs" of Palestinians in and around the town of El Arish,
shopping and bartering in the city's open-air markets. Local
residents report significant price increases for most basic
commodities and food-stuffs, particularly high-value, easily
salable items like cigarettes and appliances. Notably,
Emboffs observed large numbers of chinese-made air rifles
being purchased and carried back to Gaza. The buyers told
Emboffs their air guns would be used for bird shooting.


4. (C) Despite the heavier GOE security contingent -
including at least 10 BGF Fauds patrolling the Egyptian side
of the border north of the Rafah terminal and about 500
Central Security forces in riot gear - Egyptian officials on
the scene appeared nervous toward the presence of Emboffs in
and around the border area. During a September 18 meeting
with Egyptian border security liaison officials, Emboffs were
urged to depart the border area and were forbidden to transit
the north-south road along the Egyptian side of the border.
Emboffs heard automatic weapon fire from the Gaza side of the
border on the morning of September 17 and were told that it
came from PA security forces who were reportedly firing into
the air in an effort to disperse a crowd in the no-man's
zone. This incident was cited as a reason for the heightened
concern. Also, the latest deadline for fully closing the
Egyptian border to unofficial crossings appears to have once
again been sidelined.


Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo

You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website.

JONES