The route, along the Israel-Egypt border in southern Gaza, is a critical one, in that approximately 100 arms-smuggling tunnels have been discovered snaking under it over the past four years. Israeli army officials estimate that Palestinian terrorists have smuggled into Gaza thousands of riles and much ammunition during this period.
Despite the dangers of abandoning the route to Egyptian and PA control, Prime Minister Sharon knows that the international community will not consider his withdrawal plan complete unless Israel also leaves the Philadelphi Route. The talks today dealt with this matter.
Minister Shalom said that Israel is close to an agreement with Egypt on the topic. He said that issues such as the amount of Egyptian forces and the quality of their weapons still need to be finalized, "which I hope we will do in the near future."
The Egyptian minister said today that in the framework of the disengagement, Israel "must withdraw totally from the Philadephi Route." He said that Egypt will assume security responsibility for the area, but only together with the Palestinian Authority: "It's also the Palestinians' responsibility, and to this end, we wish to retrain their forces."
Many Israelis are strongly against these arrangements. MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) recently wrote,
"Under Egyptian auspices, the terrorists have smuggled 5,000 rifles and tons of explosives and ammunition into Gaza - but Sharon, like a true compulsive gambler, is again gambling on Egypt, and is promising that once we disengage, terrorism will subside..."
Despite the dangers of abandoning the route to Egyptian and PA control, Prime Minister Sharon knows that the international community will not consider his withdrawal plan complete unless Israel also leaves the Philadelphi Route. The talks today dealt with this matter.
Minister Shalom said that Israel is close to an agreement with Egypt on the topic. He said that issues such as the amount of Egyptian forces and the quality of their weapons still need to be finalized, "which I hope we will do in the near future."
The Egyptian minister said today that in the framework of the disengagement, Israel "must withdraw totally from the Philadephi Route." He said that Egypt will assume security responsibility for the area, but only together with the Palestinian Authority: "It's also the Palestinians' responsibility, and to this end, we wish to retrain their forces."
Many Israelis are strongly against these arrangements. MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) recently wrote,
"Under Egyptian auspices, the terrorists have smuggled 5,000 rifles and tons of explosives and ammunition into Gaza - but Sharon, like a true compulsive gambler, is again gambling on Egypt, and is promising that once we disengage, terrorism will subside..."