Sharon committed to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Israel would begin facilitating “safe-passage” from Gaza to the Tarkumiya crossing near Hevron Thursday, but they were delayed due to the bombing of the Sharon Mall in Netanya last week and again due to the barrage of Kassam rockets Thursday.
Following the Netanya attack, the Cabinet decided to freeze talks on such convoys until the PA takes measures against terror groups. Such steps have not been taken and it is unclear whether the cabinet has retracted its decision or whether Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans to implement the convoys regardless.
IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz told Army Radio Monday that the convoys will not operate until rocket fire on Israeli towns stop and Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz announced Thursday that the convoys would be delayed.
Defense Ministry officials report that another reason for the convoys’ delay is the violation of recently made agreements regarding the Rafiah Crossing from Gaza to Egypt. Data on who is using the crossing has not been transferred to Israel in a timely or comprehensive manner.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs C. David Welch told a London conference of donors to the PA Wednesday that bus convoys would begin as scheduled, regardless of Israeli reservations. "We fully expect Israel and the Palestinians to implement all aspects of the movement agreement on schedule and we will help them to do so," Welch said.
Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim (Likud) sharply attacked the plan on Army Radio, calling it foolish and saying Israel should “just say no” to US demands.
Some Israeli reservations include the demand that one route instead of three separate routes be operated, that men between 16 and 35 not be allowed to use the safe-passage and the amount of time travelers are allowed to stay be limited to ten days.
Security officials are concerned that with Gaza now in the hands of various terror groups, the convoys will serve to import Gazan terrorism to Judea and Samaria.