US embassy cable - 05CAIRO7158

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007158 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KPAL, PINS, IS, EG 
SUBJECT: STATUS OF GAZA-EGYPT BORDER SECURITY: SEPTEMBER 14. 
 
 
Classified by DCM Stuart E. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary:  Embassy officers on the scene report that 
the Egyptian Rafah border terminal is technically closed to 
pedestrian traffic going either way but that efforts to 
secure the border are moving slowly.  In the 5km stretch to 
the north of the terminal, hundreds of Palestinians are 
transferring goods from Egypt back to Gaza.  Security sources 
in Cairo tell us they have set a deadline of 1800 for all 
Palestinians (many shopping in nearby Egyptian town of El 
Arish) to depart Egypt back to Gaza or they will be arrested 
for illegally entering the country.  This deadline is being 
publicized on the border but Emboffs on the border doubt that 
this deadline can be enforced today given the numbers of 
Palestinians in the El Arish area.  End summary. 
 
2. (C) Embassy officers at the border report that Egyptian 
interior ministry security forces and Border Guards are 
deployed along the border and have begun efforts to restrict 
the flow of hundreds of Palestinians crossing back and forth 
across the border.  Security officials say the border is 
technically closed to traffic either way, but measures to 
control movement have not yet significantly restricted the 
flow. 
 
3. (C) Emboffs report that most of the Palestinians have 
crossed to purchase goods in the Egyptian coastal city of El 
Arish 50 kilometers from the border.  One El Arish 
restauranteur gleefully told Emboffs, "business has been 
booming" since the withdrawal.  Emboffs observed no vehicles 
crossing the border in either direction, but local Egyptian 
pickup taxis were ferrying Palestinians back and forward to 
El Arish.  Consumer goods including foodstuffs, cigarettes, 
and electronics made up the majority of the significant 
quantity of merchandise being transferred back across the 
border to Gaza. 
 
4.  (C) The Embassy has contacted liaison and security forces 
to gain information on next steps re border control.  These 
sources report that an 1800 deadline has been established by 
which time all Palestinians must return to Gaza or face 
arrest for entering Egypt illegally.  Emboffs report that 
this deadline is being publicized on the border but note that 
given the large number of Palestinians in the El Arish area, 
it is unlikely this deadline can be enforced. 
 
5.  (C) While the Egyptians are moving very slowly to control 
the border, this issue is obviously a priority for Egypt from 
the aspect of domestic security.  We recommend that press 
guidance on this issue follow the following lines: 
 
--We are in touch with all the parties and we share their 
concerns on the seriousness of the developments on the 
Gaza-Egypt border following the IDF withdrawal from Gaza. 
 
--It is clear that the parties are moving to address this 
situation and are coordinating a response.  We refer you to 
the authorities concerned for specific measures being taken. 
 
--The Egyptians are deploying Border Guards ahead of the 
agreed timetable for securing the Gaza border.  They have 
also sent additional police to the border to control the 
situation. 
 
--We will remain in touch with the parties as they address 
this issue. 
 
 
 
Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo 
 
You can also access this site through the 
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. 
 
RICCIARDONE