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U.S., Israel Sign Deal to Stem Weapons Smuggling Into Gaza
The United States today signed an agreement with Israel that pledges help in halting weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip, part of a flurry of diplomatic activity designed to halt a conflict that has left more than 1,000 dead. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in one of her last officials acts before the Obama administration takes power, signed a two-and-half page memorandum of understanding with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni this morning. Under the agreement, the United States said it would help track and thwart weapons shipments that have allowed the Palestinian militant group Hamas rain rockets on Israeli towns and cities. Rice told reporters the agreement would be part of a broader international effort -- including similar agreements with European countries -- to stem the flow of arms into Gaza. The U.S.-Israeli deal "should be thought of as one of the elements of trying to bring into being a durable cease-fire, a cease-fire that can actually hold," Rice said. A key element, she said, "is to do something about the weapons smuggling and the potential for resupply of Hamas from other places, including from Iran." Posted by: Fred 2009-01-17 |
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