STATUS OF GAZA-EGYPT BORDER: SEPTEMBER 20

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007323 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2015 TAGS: PREL KPAL PINS IS EG SUBJECT: STATUS OF GAZA-EGYPT BORDER: SEPTEMBER 20 REF: A. CAIRO 7158 ¶B. CAIRO 7210 ¶C. CAIRO 7297 Classified by ECPO MinCouns Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Embassy officers at the Rafah border reported that the Egypt-Gaza border was sealed as of the morning of September 20. Although the GOE allowed cross border traffic to continue through the day on September 19, they sealed the border wtih new barbed wife overnight. As of 1200 local on September 20, approximately 250-300 Palestinians were waiting at several points along the border for guidance as to where they should go to reenter Gaza. A contact at Rafah reported that by 1600, as many as 2,000 Palestinians had gathered at the terminal, waiting for the border to reopen. Egyptian police at the Rafah terminal report that they are ready to open that crossing pending the outcome of consultations with Palestinian authorities as to the procedures for future border crossings. The GOE continues to reinforce its Border Guard Force (BGF) infrastructure by establishing camps and moving armored personnel carriers into position. End summary. ¶2. (C) GOE officials claimed, and Embassy officers confirmed, that all pedestrian traffic had been stopped and the border sealed by September 20. New barbed wire was put in place by the morning of September 20, there was no traffic through the border at all as of 1200 local. More than 500 BGF troops are at the border and BGF camps, including tents and latrines, are taking shape. The GOE has deployed 15 armored personnel carriers along the border. From the roof of a building near the sealed Salah al Din gate, Embassy officers saw BGF officers positioned at approximately 20-30 meter intervals. Police officers near the Rafah terminal reported that they believe GOE officials are ready to start processing people through the Rafah terminal, but they have not yet received instructions to do so. GOE officials noted that consultations with the Palestinian authorities concerning reopening the border are ongoing. ¶3. (C) As of 1200, Embassy officers observed that approximately 250-300 Palestinians were waiting at various points along the border for guidance as to where they should go to reenter Gaza. But a contact at the border reported that by 1600, as many as 2,000 Palestinians had gathered at Rafah in the expectation that the terminal would be reopened. There is a growing sense of frustration among the waiting Palestinians, Embassy officers noted, as many had spent the night in their cars or in other makeshift accommodation. A police officer near the Rafah terminal told Embassy officers that he believes as many as 4,000 Palestinians who crossed the border last week are still in Egypt. But others estimated the numbers to be much lower (1,000). Embassy officers have not seen any evidence or heard from GOE officials that the number of Palestinians who entered Egypt last week approached 200,000, as reported in the Egyptian press. 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