US embassy cable - 05CAIRO7297

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007297 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, MOPS, KPAL, PINS, EG, IS 
SUBJECT: GAZA-EGYPT BORDER SECURITY UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 18 
 
REF: A. CAIRO 7210 
     B. CAIRO 7158 
 
Classified by ECPO Minister Counselor Michael Corbin for 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
1.  (C) Embassy officers at the Rafah border September 18 
reported that formal GOE border terminals remain closed, as 
civilian two-way foot traffic to and from Egypt continues at 
modest levels through monitored gaps in security fences on 
the Egyptian side of the border north of the Rafah Terminal. 
The majority of foot traffic was Palestinians returning from 
Egypt into Gaza.  The Egyptian security presence along the 
full stretch of the border continues to expand and efforts 
are being made to repair breaches in the fences at seven 
locations north of Rafah Terminal.  Egyptian officers are 
checking identification papers of all those seeking access 
to/from Egypt while Palestinian shoppers continue to buy up 
commercial goods in El Arish, doubling prices and emptying 
shelves throughout the city and surrounding towns.  Large 
quantities of consumer goods are being taken back on foot to 
Gaza with little to no physical inspection by GOE border 
officials.  Dollars and shekels remain the currency of 
choice.  End summary. 
 
------------------------- 
September 18 Observations 
------------------------- 
 
2.  (C) Embassy officers located at the Rafah-Gaza border 
area September 17 and 18 report that Egyptian security force 
deployments have increased overall, but that the flow of 
pedestrians through seven unofficial locations north of the 
Rafah Terminal continues.  Additionally, Emboffs were told 
that of the 11 holes cut in the fence on the Egyptian side of 
the border, four had already been repaired/sealed.  Egyptian 
Border Guard Force (BGF) elements, along with Central 
Security forces were reportedly stationed at the seven 
remaining locations.  All those seeking to cross the no-man 
zone from Egypt to Gaza must first show proper identification 
papers.  Egyptians returning from Gaza also must show proper 
Egyptian ID papers to be permitted back into Egypt. 
Palestinians in Egypt without proper ID are reportedly being 
handed over to PA security officials along the border to be 
interviewed.  Palestinian Authority security officials appear 
to have plugged major breaches in the concrete and metal 
barriers that were reportedly destroyed by Palestinian 
militants. 
 
3.  (C) On the night of September 17, Emboffs reported seeing 
"throngs" of Palestinians in and around the town of El Arish, 
shopping and bartering in the city's open-air markets.  Local 
residents report significant price increases for most basic 
commodities and food-stuffs, particularly high-value, easily 
salable items like cigarettes and appliances.  Notably, 
Emboffs observed large numbers of chinese-made air rifles 
being purchased and carried back to Gaza.  The buyers told 
Emboffs their air guns would be used for bird shooting. 
 
4.  (C) Despite the heavier GOE security contingent - 
including at least 10 BGF Fauds patrolling the Egyptian side 
of the border north of the Rafah terminal and about 500 
Central Security forces in riot gear - Egyptian officials on 
the scene appeared nervous toward the presence of Emboffs in 
and around the border area.  During a September 18 meeting 
with Egyptian border security liaison officials, Emboffs were 
urged to depart the border area and were forbidden to transit 
the north-south road along the Egyptian side of the border. 
Emboffs heard automatic weapon fire from the Gaza side of the 
border on the morning of September 17 and were told that it 
came from PA security forces who were reportedly firing into 
the air in an effort to disperse a crowd in the no-man's 
zone.  This incident was cited as a reason for the heightened 
concern.  Also, the latest deadline for fully closing the 
Egyptian border to unofficial crossings appears to have once 
again been sidelined. 
 
 
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. 
 
JONES