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Egypt Stops Building Anti-Smuggling Wall on Gaza Border

(Jerusalem Post) Yaakov Katz - Following the revolution in February, Egypt suspended construction of an underground steel wall along the Egypt-Gaza border to stop smuggling weaponry through tunnels into Gaza, defense officials said. While smugglers succeeded in breaching the wall in some parts, Israeli officials said the wall had made it more difficult for smugglers to dig tunnels across the border. Israel has urged Cairo to continue to take action to prevent the flow of arms to Gaza. "There is a new relationship between Hamas and Cairo today," one senior official said. "This is likely connected to the upcoming elections and the understanding in Egypt that the Muslim Brotherhood is a strong player and as a result it is important to maintain contacts with Hamas." Israel is worried that Cairo's new relationship with Hamas will come at the expense of its relationship with Israel. It is also concerned that Egypt will turn a blind eye to the movement of weaponry, cash and people across the border.
2011-04-11 00:00:00
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