U.S. Proposes International Observers at Gaza-Israel Crossing

[Ha'aretz] Avi Issacharoff - The U.S. security coordinator in the territories, Gen. Keith Dayton, presented a detailed proposal last week to PA representatives and to Israel to enable the reopening of the Karni crossing, Gaza's economic lifeline. Due to repeated threats of terror attacks at the crossing, Israel has frequently shut it down. According to Dayton's proposal, 90 international observers would be stationed on the Palestinian side to ensure that PA security personnel do what is necessary to prevent terror attacks in the vicinity. While the observers would be European, like those already stationed at the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, American officials would supervise them. While Israeli security officials welcomed the plan, terming it an opportunity to both improve Gaza's economy and strengthen Abbas' position in the Palestinian political arena, they warned that Israel will not agree to implement it until Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier who was kidnapped to Gaza in June, is released.


2006-08-28 01:00:00

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