750 Egyptians to prevent weapons-smuggling into PA. Philadelphi route
Photo: AFP
Withdrawal from Philadelphi imminent
Government wishes to coordinate withdrawal from route, located along Israel-Egypt border, with IDF’s pullout from Gaza, scheduled for late September; according to agreement with Egypt, 750 Egyptian troops to prevent smuggling of weapons into PA
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and security establishment officials have come to the conclusion that the IDF withdrawal from the Philadelphi route along the Israel-Egypt border should be carried out as soon as possible.
Military Cooperation
By Associated Press
Hundreds of soldiers arrive in Sinai peninsula to be deployed along Philadelphi Route and Egyptian-Israeli border, to allow Israel a quiet withdrawal from Gaza
The government wishes to coordinate the withdrawal from Philadelphi with the IDF’s pullout from Gaza, scheduled for late September.
Recently Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said the withdrawal from Philadelphi would take place toward the end of the year, but added that he hopes it would be carried out at an earlier date.
Now, following the agreement with Egypt, the government has decided to bring the withdrawal forward.
Notably, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has recently criticized the agreement with Egypt for not including a commitment on behalf of the Egyptians that they would not transfer arms to the Palestinians. Security officials said in response that the issue has been resolved.
According to the agreement, 750 Egyptian Border Guard troops will deploy along the route’s 14 kilometers (about 9 miles) on the Gaza-Egypt border and work to prevent the smuggling of weapons to the Palestinian Authority.
The agreement reached with Egypt on the Philadelphi route is set to be submitted for government approval this Sunday, after which it will have to pass a Knesset vote.
