Olmert-Abbas meeting to focus on breached Gaza-Egypt border
Israel considering cooperation with Egypt, Palestinian Authority to reseal border, stop flow of Palestinians into Egypt. 'Developments there are extremely worrying and change the entire situation on the southern front,' official says
Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to meet at the Israeli prime minister's official Jerusalem residence on Sunday to discuss the breached Gaza-Egypt border.
Thousands of Palestinians poured into Egypt last week to stock up on food and fuel in short supply after Israel closed its borders with the Hamas-controlled territory in a bid to end cross-border rocket fire into southern Israel.
"The developments there are extremely worrying and change the entire situation on the (southern) front," an official in the PM's Office said. "Israel is fearful that the (Egyptians) will not be able to reseal the border."
Officials have expressed their concern that the border breach at the Rafah Crossing would allow foreign "terror experts" to enter the Strip and result in attempts by Gaza terrorists to infiltrate Israel through Sinai and carry out attacks in the Negev region.
Israeli officials have also learned that Egypt is closely following the link between the subversive "Muslim Brotherhood" organization and Hamas, and Jerusalem is considering working in cooperation with both Egypt and the Palestinian Authority to resolve the breached border issue.
Palestinian sources said over the weekend that Abbas may look to take responsibility over the border crossings between Egypt and Gaza. News agencies reported that the Palestinian leader and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak were scheduled to meet this coming Wednesday in Cairo to discuss the matter.
On Saturday senior Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad held intensive talks with top Egyptian officials.
Gilad's contacts with the Egyptians were initiated on the orders of Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who instructed Gilad to lead the effort to restore order at the Rafah crossing.
Reuters contributed to the report
