[Ha'aretz] Editorial - The security annex of the peace treaty with Egypt states that Israel has the right to hold military forces, of specific type and numbers, along the border between Gaza and Egypt. During the 2005 evacuation of the Gaza Strip, Israel essentially relinquished this right, transforming it into an expectation that the PA and Egypt would secure the border and the Philadelphi Route that runs alongside it. This expectation was based on the assumption that Egypt would be willing and capable of preventing the transit of goods and people posing a threat to the security of the regime of Hosni Mubarak, who is on the defensive against the Muslim Brotherhood at home and their al-Qaeda supporters from beyond. However, this expectation proved to be a disappointment. Egypt is not making a sufficient effort to seal its border, which is breached along its walls and tunnels below. Meanwhile, the rampant smuggling of rockets intended to strike at Israeli communities and missiles aimed against IDF tanks and aircraft continues. The smuggling is pushing the IDF to recommend an extensive operation in Gaza before the arms build-up reaches a scale similar to Hizballah in Lebanon. The key to the crisis is in Cairo. Egypt must wake up and turn the key that closes the gate against weapons and explosives smuggling into Gaza before the IDF rushes in and breaks the lock.
2006-10-31 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive