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Israel, Egypt discussing Gaza deployment
EFL. Registration required. Israel and Egypt are discussing altering several security clauses in the Camp David accords that would allow Egypt to introduce additional forces close to the Gaza border to fight arms smuggling into Rafah. Clashes between IDF forces trying to plug up smugglersâ tunnels that honeycomb the Egypt-Gaza border and Palestinians endeavoring to keep them open have led to 13 Israeli deaths and dozens of Palestinian fatalities in the past week. "There is no doubt that the Egyptians can do more," Chief of General Staff Moshe Yaâalon told the cabinet Sunday. Under the terms of the Camp David Accords, the Egyptians can only introduce a limited number of lightly armed forces near the border. "They want to introduce better trained forces, but that entails changes in the agreement," Sharon said. Sharon said he is in contact with the Egyptians about the issue, and expects to see an emissary of President Hosni Mubarak â likely Egyptian Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman â about the issue this week. Yaâalon said the arms being smuggled through tunnels in the Rafah area originate in Iran, and â with Hizbullahâs help â are brought to the region through Africa. One wonders if Yaâalonâs remarks are diplomatic or true. Surely the Egyptians wouldnât risk allowing arms shipments into their country that could be diverted to their own Islamists? The Egyptians have know whatâs passing through the tunnels because otherwise theyâd risk losing control.Posted by: 11A5S 2004-05-17 |
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