EGYPTIANS IN GAZA CROSS BACK INTO EGYPT

S E C R E T CAIRO 000691 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2028 TAGS: PARM PREL IS EG SUBJECT: EGYPTIANS IN GAZA CROSS BACK INTO EGYPT REF: JONES-DANIN E-MAIL APRIL 3 Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) MFA Palestinian Affairs Director Badr Abdelatty told us April 6 that 150-200 Egyptians crossed Rafah from Gaza into Egypt April 1-2, as a "one time event." Badr said that these Egyptians, many of whom reside in Al-Arish and have relatives in Gaza, were in Gaza since the January border breach. Abdelatty said that EGIS worked with the Israelis to return these Egyptians through Rafah, "on an exceptional basis." Pro-Government newspaper Al-Ahram reported April 2 that 300 Egyptians were preparing to cross Rafah back into Egypt that day, and that 20 had already done so. The Egyptian media has not reported on this issue since April 2. ¶2. (S/NF) Abdelatty told us April 1 and 2 that EGIS had been vetting citizenship credentials, as many Gazans have Egyptian travel documents, but the GOE only allows the return of Egyptian passport holders. He said EGIS had been working to identify the Egyptian passport holders. ¶3. (S/NF) DMI LAWIO Chief Major General Nagy told us April 6 that he did not discuss the issue with his Israeli counterpart during liaison meetings in Israel the week of March 30. He described his liaison meetings with Israel as "unproductive," saying that the Israelis yet again refused his request to increase the number of Egypt Border Guard Forces above 750. RICCIARDONE