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Israel Rules Out Opening Gaza Border If Hamas Gains

[Reuters] Adam Entous - Israel has all but ruled out fully reopening border crossings with Gaza as long as Hamas rules the enclave or stands to benefit from the easing of restrictions, a top adviser to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said. The adviser said Israel would allow the "maximum" flow of food, medicine, oil and gas to Gaza, but steel and cement needed for rebuilding would have to wait. "If opening the passages will strengthen Hamas, we won't do it," he said. This week, Israel told the UN and other aid groups planning for the rebuilding that they must apply for project-by-project Israeli approval and provide guarantees none of the work will benefit Hamas. The adviser said he doubted Hamas would agree to let Abbas' security forces, backed by international observers, return to the border crossings, as Israel and Egypt have proposed. He said Abbas' forces were not ready for Gaza. "It's a limited force. And in order to take it to Gaza, I think they need first more training, more forces, and this is something that takes time." Even if Hamas agreed to let Abbas' PA run the crossings, Israel believes Hamas would maintain control behind the scenes and take over "within days," he said.
2009-01-23 06:00:00
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