(AP/New York Times) Palestinian gunrunners smuggled hundreds of assault rifles and pistols across the Egyptian frontier into Gaza, dealers and border officials said Wednesday, confirming Israeli fears about giving up border control. Black market prices for weapons dropped sharply, with the price of AK-47 assault rifles nearly cut in half, to $1,300, and even steeper reductions for handguns. Israel voiced concern about chaos along the Egypt-Gaza border in the three days since its pullout, sending messages to the U.S., Egypt, and the Palestinians. "We will not put up with this," Defense Minister Mofaz said. Egypt had assured Israel that it would prevent weapons smuggling once its troops took over from Israel along the Gaza frontier, and Cairo and the PA pledged to seal the border. Thousands have crossed unhindered since Monday.
2005-09-15 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive