(translation: we still control gaza and you will do as we say)
Israel's defence minister has threatened to shut down crossings
between the Gaza Strip and Israel if the Palestinians do not improve
operations at the Gaza-Egypt border.
Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz spoke a day after a senior Hamas
activist returned to Gaza after 15 years of exile, using the
Palestinian-operated crossing.
It was not clear whether Mofaz's threat was linked to the return of
Fadel Zahar, brother of Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar.
Fadel Zahar had been deported by Israel to Lebanon in 1991. On
Tuesday, he entered Gaza through the Rafah terminal on the Gaza-Egypt
border, which is operated by Palestinians under the supervision of
European monitors.
Israel has expressed concern that Palestinian resistance fighters and
weapons would enter Gaza once the Palestinians are in charge of the
border.
Israel withdrew from the coastal strip in the summer and closed Rafah
as part of the pullout. Rafah reopened last week, as part of a US-
brokered deal on new border arrangements.
"They have the right to return to their home whenever they want"
Sami Abu Zuhri,
Hamas spokesman
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said he did not know whether other
Hamas leaders planned to return from exile.
"They have the right to return to their home whenever they want," Abu
Zuhri said.
Speeding up the flow
As part of the arrangements, Israel is also to expedite the flow of
Palestinian passengers and cargo at the Karni and Erez crossings
between Gaza and Israel.
"If it does not improve and the Palestinians do not cooperate (in
Rafah) we will close the Erez and Karni crossings," Mofaz said on
Wednesday, during a tour of the area.
"They will become international crossings in all senses and I really
hope that the Palestinians understand the significance of this step,"
Mofaz said.
Such a step would mean the West Bank and Gaza would no longer be part
of a customs union with Israel, a step that could devastate the
struggling Palestinian economy.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/04188D8A-3F87-4576-925D-
19E85F019779.htm
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