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