EGYPTIAN, EUROPEAN SOURCES CONFIRM RAFAH BORDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000075 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PTER KPAL EG IS SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN, EUROPEAN SOURCES CONFIRM RAFAH BORDER REMAINS OPEN Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In separate conversations January 4, MFA Palestinian Affairs Office Director Randa Labib and European Union Deputy Director Oliver Nette confirmed that the Egyptian-Gaza border terminals at Rafah remain open, despite press reports that Gaza militants closed the PA-controlled terminal. Labib said that on January 3 a small group of Palestinian militants had interrupted border operations at the Palestinian terminal for a short time, but that operations had since returned to normal. The group, she said, was reacting to a refusal two weeks earlier by Palestinian Authority border personnel to allow two of its members to depart Gaza via Egypt. ¶2. (C) EC Delegation Deputy Director Nette also confirmed that the border terminal was open January 4, and said that border operations had been temporarily suspended twice on the Palestinian side January 3. The first incident, he said, was caused by a computer malfunction. The second incident (i.e., the one described above by Labib) was a small demonstration by a group of militants that did not involve an assault on the border terminal or the planting of any explosives, as presented in the media. RICCIARDONE