An Israeli source reported on Saturday that the Israeli government is expected to approve the deployment of Egyptian forces on the Philadelphi route along the Gaza-Egypt border near Rafah.
After the government approves the deal on Sunday, it will be brought to the Knesset on Wednesday, where it is also expected to be supported by the majority of Knesset members.
When approved, the deal will be signed by senior military officers of the Israeli army and Egyptian military officers, after which the Israeli army will leave the area.
“This agreement gives comprehensive, I emphasize, comprehensive, responsibility to the Egyptians to prevent arms smuggling, in tunnels and above the ground,†Israeli defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told the army radio Saturday.
Also, Eival Giladi, head of the disengagement strategy and planning team at Sharon’s office, said that this deal will serve the Israeli interests.
“It does not expose Israel to any security threats,†Eival added.
Israel delayed the final agreement on the Philadelphi Route after it demanded that Egypt refrain from providing the P.A with weapons and ammunition; Israeli defense sources said that an “understanding was reached on this matter.â€ÂÂÂ
The agreement is titled “Agreed Arrangement on the Matter of Deployment of a Task Force of the Border Guards Along the Length of Border in the Rafah Region.â€Â 750 Egyptian border policemen will be deployed in the area and will patrol it from the coast all the way to the Keren Sharon Israeli Negev border town.
According to Israel, the deployment of Egyptian forces in a necessary condition for its evacuation from the Philadelphi Route which will complete its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
The main tasks of the Egyptian force will be preventing weapons smuggling, attacks, and all cross-border infiltration. A small Egyptian naval force will patrol the maritime border with the Gaza Strip.
