|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1123035528196
Israel Weighs Leaving Egypt-Gaza Border Crossing
(Jerusalem Post) Herb Keinon - Israel has for months said it needed to retain a presence at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza to ensure that heavy weaponry is not smuggled into Gaza. According to senior diplomatic sources, however, the defense ministry is now leaning toward leaving the crossing altogether and relying on the PA, the Egyptians, and an international observer force to police the crossing. One diplomatic official declared that this would mean that Israel would forfeit its demand to maintain a security presence at Gaza's airport and seaport after they become operable. The idea, according to diplomatic officials, was to create the type of deterrence that exists in Lebanon, where Hizballah - which has Katyusha rockets - has been wary about using them since Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, out of fear of Israel's reaction. "If the agreement is violated, Israel will be able to take whatever action is necessary to remedy the situation," an official said.