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