A demonstration in the Nusseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, March 17, 2006
Photo: AP
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Egypt Arms Palestine
Israeli security forces have confirmed that the Fatah movement in Palestine has received a large shipment of weapons from Egypt to strengthen its position in its fight against the radical Hamas. Egypt is counting on Mahmoud Abbas, leader of moderate Fatah, to renew peace talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. It is notable that Israel took part in the delivery of the weapons.
The shipment consisted of 2000 AK-47 machineguns, 20,000 magazines for them and 2 million rounds of ammunition. It arrived in the Gaza Strip from Egypt. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz first reported on the shipment, saying that five trucks carrying arms crossed into Israel at the Kerem-Shalom border crossing and were accompanied by Israeli police to the Karni crossing into the Palestinian Autonomy, where the Israeli oversaw the transfer of the cargo to Palestinian security forces.
The shipment was preceded by intensive diplomatic consultations among the Palestinians, Egyptians, Israelis and Americans. Fatah's weak firepower has become increasing noticeable as clashes with Hamas become more frequent. Continued weakening of Fatah would have far-reaching political repercussions. Hamas controls the Palestinian parliament and administration, but the reason for its advantage in weaponry is arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip from Egypt.
The decision to rearm Fatah was made at the meeting last Saturday between Abbas and Olmert. Abbas promised to use the weapons to prevent the firing of Qassam rockets into Israel and to close off illegal channels for arms supplies in Palestine. Abbas met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday, just before the shipment was dispatched, apparently to agree on final details. Israeli sources say that the leaders also discussed resuming closed Palestinian-Israeli consultations that could lead to the renewal of peace talks. Thus, the Egyptian president is also raising his profile as a regional leader.
In spite of the confirmation of the information, Abbas's press secretary called reports of a load of Egyptian arms for the Palestinian leader “groundless” yesterday evening. That is understandable, since reports of the Israeli involvement in the shipment will not boost Abbas's popularity within the autonomy. Nonetheless, it is clear that some hope for the renewal of peace talks has appeared.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Dec. 29, 2006
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