Egipto es acusada de permitir el paso de armas a Gaza

28 Agosto 2007

Egypt allowing arms into Gaza Strip, says Israeli minister

Compiled by Daily Star staff
Tuesday, August 28, 2007

 A senior Israeli minister accused Egypt Monday of allowing tons of explosives and weapons to reach the Gaza Strip, charging that Cairo had an interest in seeing a "strong Hamas.""The Egyptians can take immediate and decisive steps to stop it [the alleged arms smuggling] but haven't done this over the past seven years," Public Security Minister Avi Dichter told army radio. "The Egyptians are speaking with a forked tongue."

Dichter's comments came a day after the deputy head of the Shin Bet internal security service expressed concern at what he said was a surge in arms trafficking from Egypt into neighboring Gaza, which has been controlled by the Islamist Hamas movement since June 15.

Forty tons of weapons and explosives have been smuggled from Egypt into the Gaza Strip in the past two months, a senior government official quoted the Shin Bet commander as telling ministers during the weekly Cabinet meeting.

"Any sensible Egyptian, Israeli or Palestinian could not escape the conclusion Egypt doesn't mind having a strong Hamas in Gaza," said Dichter, who is himself a former Shin Bet chief. "I believe Egypt has an interest in having a strong Hamas."

In August alone, some 13 tons of explosives and 150 anti-tank rocket launchers were smuggled into the Gaza Strip, the Shin Bet said.

The security service estimated that 33 tons of explosives were brought in, in 2006, compared to 6 tons in 2005, in addition to 14,000 assault rifles, 150 rocket-propelled grenade launchers and 20 missiles, the source added.
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Dichter's comments came despite the strong public opposition of Egypt to the Hamas takeover of Gaza from forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which it described as a "coup against legitimacy."

In recent months, the Egyptian authorities have also been carrying out an intensifying crackdown against Hamas' ideological soul mate, the Muslim Brotherhood, which they regard as their main domestic threat.

Israeli officials said Abbas and Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert are to meet in Jerusalem Tuesday, in the latest of a series of meetings meant to boost the Palestinian leader in his power struggle with Hamas and to lay the groundwork for resuming peace talks.

Hamas' motivation to attack Israel has grown since the Gaza takeover because of the group's international isolation and failure to open Gaza crossings closed by Israel and Egypt, the deputy chief of Israel's Shin Bet intelligence agency told Cabinet ministers on Sunday.

Palestinians want talks on core issues that could lead to a peace treaty, like final borders. Israel prefers to limit the discussions to general principles and day-to-day matters.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said aides would hold a preparatory session Monday for the next meeting, but did not confirm Israel's account that Abbas and Olmert would sit down together in Jerusalem Tuesday. - Agencies
 
 
 

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