US embassy cable - 05CAIRO7210

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 007210 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KPAL, PINS, IS, EG, Gaza 
SUBJECT: STATUS OF GAZA EGYPT BORDER SEPTEMBER 15 
 
REF: CAIRO 7158 
 
Classified by ECPO MinCouns Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary:  Egyptian forces effectively controlled the 
Egyptian side of the Gaza border September 15, dividing 
responsibilities between 350 police to the north of the Rafah 
terminal and 400 Border Guards to the south.  Palestinians 
were on their way out of Egypt and only Egyptians with ID 
cards were being allowed to return through the barrier into 
Egypt.  GOE actions on this issue balance the desire to 
appear supportive of Palestinians in their exuberance at 
Israeli withdrawal, with security concerns related to 
extremists in Gaza.  End summary. 
 
2. (C)  As of September 15, DAO officer on the Gaza border 
reports Egyptian forces have taken the following steps to 
control the border between Egypt and Gaza: 
 
--deployed approx. 400 Border Guards along the border fence 
south of the Rafah terminal, particularly at breaches in the 
barrier which they are blocking with concertina wire and 
other material. 
 
--increased the number of Central Security Force (CSF) 
policemen along the border and stationed 350 along the fence 
between the Rafah terminal and the sea. 
 
--opened four temporary control points to the north of the 
Rafah terminal where Egyptians are being allowed to return to 
Egypt upon presentation of Egyptian IDs. 
 
--CSF police were observed using 4 foot canes (a common riot 
control implement) to prevent Palestinians from entering 
through a breach in the fence. 
 
--expelled illegal Palestinians from El Arish to the border. 
 
--were to meet at 1500 local time with the IDF at the Kerem 
Shalom crossing point to discuss security coordination. 
 
3. (C)  Contrary to the situation on September 14, the 
Egyptians have moved decisively on September 15 to control 
the Gaza border.  There is clear evidence of an organized 
plan for control of pedestrian traffic.  Interestingly, 
instead of deploying Border Guards along the whole of the 
Gaza stretch of border, the Egyptians have deployed these 
forces only south of the Rafah terminal where there are no 
population centers.  CSF police are deployed to the north of 
the terminal where the buildings approach the border and most 
Palestinians have sought to cross.  This decision appears 
based partly on the fact that the full 750 border guards have 
not yet arrived at the border, but more importantly likely on 
a desire to have civilian police confronting Palestinians, 
rather than military Border Guards.  According to Egyptian 
military officials, more Border Guards will arrive at the 
border on September 16, although they did not know if this 
would complete the planned 750-man deployment.  Border Guard 
APCs are at the border but have been kept in camps. 
 
4. (C)  Four provisional crossing points have been 
established to the north of the border terminal at Rafah 
(which is closed to all traffic).  These gaps in the fence, 
manned by CSF police, are being used to allow Palestinians to 
return to Gaza.  Egyptians who can prove they are nationals 
are being allowed to return through these crossing points 
from Gaza.  Control appears to be on the basis of national ID 
cards.  DAO officer observed some goods being permitted to 
pass through these points including foodstuffs and gasoline 
in jerry cans.  Egyptian officials told the DAO officer that 
goods being allowed across were for "humanitarian purposes" 
to meet critical shortages in Gaza. 
 
5. (C)  All Palestinian traffic observed on September 15 was 
from Egypt into Gaza.  DAO officer witnessed a confrontation 
between police and Palestinian youths trying to force their 
way through a breach in the barrier.   Police used four-foot 
canes to beat those pressing to get through.  There were no 
obvious Palestinian crowds in the coastal city of El Arish, 
and businesses reported a significant drop in sales. 
 
6. (C)  Egyptian military liaison officials said a meeting 
would take place at 1500 local between Egyptian officials and 
the Israeli Defense Forces at the Kerem Shalom crossing point 
in Israel.  DAO officer observed coordination between 
Palestinian and Egyptian forces.  Local press reported 
September 15 that an Egyptian-Palestinian "coordination 
committee" had been formed September 14 to address issues 
related to border crossing. 
 
7. (C)  Comment:  The Egyptians have taken decisive steps to 
control the Gaza border.  However, an over-riding policy 
consideration is GOE desire to appear to be supportive of 
Palestinian joy at the ability to cross over a border that 
has been closed to them for almost four decades.  However, 
this tendency is balanced by equal concern over possible 
threats from Gaza.  Opposition newspaper "Wafd" ran a front 
page story September 15 reporting Palestinian extremists 
apparent use of explosives to blow a hole in the barrier the 
previous day as an example of the possible dangers from Gaza. 
 
 
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