Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz may summarize all the principles for opening the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza Strip as early as Wednesday and bring them to the cabinet's approval, following progress in the talks conducted Monday between the Israeli teams and the Palestinian delegation.
Israel was represented by Major General (res.) Amos Gilad, head of the Defense Ministry's political bureau, and Brigadier General Eitan Dangot, Mofaz's military secretary.
The Palestinian side was represented by PA negotiator Saeb Erekat, Minister for Civil Affairs Muhammad Dahlan, and Palestinian Planning Minister Ghassan Khatib.
Mofaz is expected to meet Tuesday morning with Quartet Envoy to the Middle East James Wolfensohn. The two are expected to discuss the issue and agree on the final gaps connected to the opening of the crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt.
On Wednesday, Mofaz is expected to receive the final agreements and bring them to the cabinet's approval. If there is no last-minute change, the crossing may open shortly for the movement of Palestinians.
The opening of the Rafah crossing was one of the main issues discussed between Mofaz and Egyptian Minister Hosni Mubarak in their Cairo meeting twoweeks ago. Israel expressed its desire to open the crossing with no Israeli presence but while maintaining its security interests, and it seems that this will be implemented shortly.
On Monday, Vice Premier Shimon Peres met in his Tel Aviv offices with European Union officials to discuss the presence of their people in the operating of the Rafah crossing.
On Thursday, Peres is expected to meet with the EU's Foreign Policy Chief, Javier Solana, to discuss the Rafah issue and the transportation of goods.