Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CAIRO1402
2008-07-03 14:42:00
SECRET
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
GOE RE-OPENS RAFAH FOR PALESTINIANS TO RETURN TO
how-toVZCZCXRO9429 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHEG #1402 1851442 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 031442Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9748 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
S E C R E T CAIRO 001402
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA AND NEA/IPA
NSC FOR PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL KPAL EG
SUBJECT: GOE RE-OPENS RAFAH FOR PALESTINIANS TO RETURN TO
GAZA
REF: A. CAIRO 1400
B. CAIRO 1340
C. CAIRO 1180 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey for reason 1.4 (b).
S E C R E T CAIRO 001402
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA AND NEA/IPA
NSC FOR PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL KPAL EG
SUBJECT: GOE RE-OPENS RAFAH FOR PALESTINIANS TO RETURN TO
GAZA
REF: A. CAIRO 1400
B. CAIRO 1340
C. CAIRO 1180 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey for reason 1.4 (b).
1. (C) MFA Acting Palestinian Affairs Director Barakat
El-Leithy told us that the GOE re-opened the Rafah crossing
July 3 on a temporary basis to allow Palestinians to return
to Gaza from Egypt. He said that these were mostly wounded
and sick Palestinians who received medical treatment in Egypt
and in other countries, such as Turkey. On July 3, El-Leithy
described the Rafah crossing as "much more organized" than on
July 2 when disturbances forced the GOE to close the crossing
(ref A). He said that the GOE had succeeded July 2 in
persuading Hamas to prevent crowds from massing on the
Palestinian side of the crossing, so that the vicinity was
relatively calm the during the late afternoon of July 2 and
throughout the morning and afternoon of July 3. According to
El-Leithy, the GOE has not yet decided whether to re-open the
crossing on a temporary basis to allow Palestinians and third
country nationals to enter Egypt.
2. (S) LAWIO Chief MG Nagy told us that the GOE allowed
approximately 500 Palestinians to cross Rafah to return to
Gaza between 10 AM and 4 PM on July 3. He said that some of
the Palestinians had been refused permission to enter third
countries and decided to return to Gaza.
SCOBEY
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA AND NEA/IPA
NSC FOR PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL KPAL EG
SUBJECT: GOE RE-OPENS RAFAH FOR PALESTINIANS TO RETURN TO
GAZA
REF: A. CAIRO 1400
B. CAIRO 1340
C. CAIRO 1180 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey for reason 1.4 (b).
1. (C) MFA Acting Palestinian Affairs Director Barakat
El-Leithy told us that the GOE re-opened the Rafah crossing
July 3 on a temporary basis to allow Palestinians to return
to Gaza from Egypt. He said that these were mostly wounded
and sick Palestinians who received medical treatment in Egypt
and in other countries, such as Turkey. On July 3, El-Leithy
described the Rafah crossing as "much more organized" than on
July 2 when disturbances forced the GOE to close the crossing
(ref A). He said that the GOE had succeeded July 2 in
persuading Hamas to prevent crowds from massing on the
Palestinian side of the crossing, so that the vicinity was
relatively calm the during the late afternoon of July 2 and
throughout the morning and afternoon of July 3. According to
El-Leithy, the GOE has not yet decided whether to re-open the
crossing on a temporary basis to allow Palestinians and third
country nationals to enter Egypt.
2. (S) LAWIO Chief MG Nagy told us that the GOE allowed
approximately 500 Palestinians to cross Rafah to return to
Gaza between 10 AM and 4 PM on July 3. He said that some of
the Palestinians had been refused permission to enter third
countries and decided to return to Gaza.
SCOBEY