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Photo: Gil Yochanan
'Visit is part of a diplomatic-strategic line led by Mofaz (top).'
Photo: Gil Yochanan

Agreement reached on Rafah crossing

Defense Minister Mofaz meets with Egyptian President Mubarak to discuss Egypt-Gaza border; leaders agree to reopen Rafah crossing in one month; earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls on Israel to ease conditions on Palestinians by lifting restrictions on Gaza crossings

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo Wednesday, where the two reached agreement on the conditions needed to allow for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza.

 

Following the meeting, Mofaz met with Israeli and foreign reporters, while Mubarak chose not to speak to the press. Mofaz characterized the meeting as "very good."

 

The Israeli defense minister said a basic agreement had been reached regarding the Rafah crossing that would allow for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to enter and exit Egypt, while goods would pass through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

 

According to Mofaz, both sides would determine within a month which country would serve as a third party to supervise the Rafah crossing, a move that would allow it to reopen.

 

Mofaz is also set to meet with Egyptian Defence Minister Mohammed Hussein Tantawi and intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, where he is expected to raise the issue of the Rafah crossing once more. He will also examine how to implement the basic agreement reached between Israel and Egypt, to allow for Israeli control over those using the crossing without an Israeli presence at the crossing.  

 

'Friendly meeting'

 

The defense minister also said his meeting with the Egyptian president was "friendly."

 

"We found a common language. Egypt is one of the central cornerstones for stability in the Middle East today," he said, praising the country for its presence along the Philadelphi route.

 

"I definitely see a change in Egyptian actions for the better, a move that will influence future security cooperation," he said. "I have already scheduled an additional meeting with Mubarak after Ramadan, to determine how to proceed with security issues."

 

Mofaz: Israel will not accept Hamas in PA elections 

 

In addition, the defense minister also discussed terrorism, saying the Palestinian Authority is yet to actively fight terror, something which would prevent Israel from continuing the peace process.

 

Israel is showing readiness to improve the quality of life for the Palestinians through eased restrictions and the reopening of the border crossings, he said. However, Mofaz added that terror organizations are abusing these gestures to carry out attacks aimed at Israeli targets, which would eventually harm the Palestinian nation as well.

 

In response to a reporter's question reagrding Hamas and upcoming PA elections, Mofaz said Israel would only accept Hamas as a legitimate participant in the elections scheduled for January 2006, should the group define itself as strictly political.

 

An Egyptian reporter also asked the defense minister about the recent Iranian threat. In response, Mofaz said Iran's threat does not only affect Israel and added that other countries should pressure the Arab nation to halt nuclear weapons' production.

 

Mofaz to assume responsibility for Gaza crossings

 

Mofaz met with Vice Premier Shimon Peres on Tuesday, and discussed the division of responsibilities among the two on all issues concerning the Gaza Strip.

 

Mofaz and Peres agreed that the crossings from Gaza to Israel will be under Mofaz’s jurisdiction, as they fall under the security umbrella, while other issues, such as connecting Gaza to the West Bank, aiding the Quartet, and developing Gaza will all fall under the Authority of Peres.

 

A security source told Ynet that “it has been agreed in principle that an Egyptian-Palestinian passageway will be established, under the observation of an international third party, and under observation by Israel via video cameras.”

 

Al Qaeda fears

 

Meanwhile, a diplomatic source has said that “the minute Israel loses control over the flow of people and equipment into Gaza, there is a chance that Al Qaeda members, or other hostile forces, may enter the area. Weapons could be smuggled in under such circumstances. While Israel is ending its presence in the Strip, it still has the full right and obligation to observe what enters the area in order to secure its safety.”

 

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Israel to ease conditions on Palestinians by lifting restrictions on Gaza crossings. Her comments came a day after the publication of a letter by Middle East envoy James Wolfensohn, in which he claimed that Israel was acting as if the Gaza withdrawal had never taken place.

 

- Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.26.05, 01:03
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