APPROXIMATELY 700 PALESTINIANS ENTER EGYPT AT

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003385 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2012 TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER KPAL EG IS SUBJECT: APPROXIMATELY 700 PALESTINIANS ENTER EGYPT AT RAFAH ON DECEMBER 3 Classified By: Minister Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs William R. Stewart for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) MG Nagy Kamal, Chief of the Directorate of Military Intelligence Liaison Agency with International Organizations, said that approximately 700 Palestinians forcibly entered the Rafah border crossing terminal from Gaza on December 3. He said the Egyptian terminal manager quickly calmed the group, which consisted primarily of Hajj pilgrims and people over age 60 and in need of medical care; violence was minimal. According to Nagy, Egyptian immigration authorities intend to admit those travelers possessing required legal documents. Nagy also noted that the Israeli authorities he contacted to report the Rafah incident were extremely angry over the developments. The Palestinian Embassy in Cairo has reportedly sent buses from the North Sinai city of Al Arish to pick up the Palestinians gathered at the Rafah terminal. It is not clear where the Palestinians will be taken, but another source said he believed that the majority of the travelers may be taken to a port where they will board ferries for Saudi Arabia. ¶2. (C) MG Nagy said that on December 2, Egypt and Israel processed approximately 190 Hajj pilgrims, students, and people needing medical care from Gaza into Egypt via the Karem Shalom terminal. He said that Egypt and Israel had intended to process an additional 250 Palestinians through Karem Shalom or Al Ouja/Nitzana on December 3, but he is not optimistic that the Israelis will agree to go forward in light of the December 3 Rafah incident. RICCIARDONE