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Last update - 21:47 19/02/2008 Egyptian officials meet with Hamas on Gaza-Egypt border security By The Associated Press Tags: Gaza, Egypt, Hamas, border EL-ARISH, Egypt - A Hamas delegation met Tuesday with Egyptian officials at the Rafah border terminal in an effort to try to open the border and tighten security, officials said. The meeting was held approximately a month after Palestinian militants blew holes in parts of the wall separating Egypt from the Gaza Strip, prompting hundreds of thousands of Gazans to pour across the frontier out of the blockaded Strip. Egypt's attempts to reseal the border spread out over nearly two weeks. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the two sides were discussing security arrangements along the border and possible ways to allow Palestinians still stuck in Egypt to cross back into the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Egyptian security officials would only confirm that the meeting - the second one in a week - took place, but they would not provide details. Those officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. On Thursday, senior Egyptian intelligence officials and a Hamas delegation met in the Egyptian city of el-Arish during which Egypt warned the rulers of Gaza against future border breaches like the one that took place on Jan. 23. On the first day of the border breach, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered his troops to let the Palestinians cross freely as long as they came to buy food and commodities. But after 12 days, Egypt sealed its borders and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit threatened Hamas of 'breaking legs' of Palestinians who dare to violate borders again. Meanwhile, the Rafah crossing terminal, the only crossing from Gaza that is not manned by Israeli monitors, remains closed pending Israeli permission and intervention by the European Union to return its crossing monitors and resume normal operations. Israel ordered a complete closure of the Rafah terminal when the Islamist militant group Hamas violently seized control over the Gaza Strip on June 2006. European monitors who were responsible for the daily border terminal operations in accordance with a 2005 agreement, have withdrawn from their posts. Hamas is pushing to replace its rival Palestinian faction, Fatah, and the Palestinian Authority mandate over the terminal, something all other parties reject including Egypt. Related articles: Egyptian FM: Whoever breaks border will have his legs broken At Gaza border with Egypt, masses make reverse exodus into Sinai ANALYSIS: Gaza border breach shows Israel that Hamas is in charge Palestinian poll says Gaza border breach boosted Hamas' popularity Bookmark to del.icio.us   Intrigue at Heathrow According to the BBC, an IDF general dodged arrest as U.K. police feared shootout. Decency in remission A Ramat Yishai widow is suspected of faking cancer to receive donations.   1.   Egypt and the ?Palestinians?. 19:23  |  Jean Van Daem 19/02/08   2.   1. jean van dumb? couple of things 21:42  |  Assad-u-LLAH 19/02/08   3.   Assad - Drool - lah 04:11  |  Old goat 20/02/08   4.   Jean Van Daem IS A SPAMMER 04:39  |  Hreader 20/02/08   5.   TO OLD GOAT 06:59  |  J. Schaefer 20/02/08

Today Online Olmert meets Abbas but Jerusalem not on agenda Responses: 179 Lebanon tense amid specter of fresh Israel-Hezbollah fighting Responses: 178 German intellectuals: Israel's creation made Palestinians victims of the Nazi Holocaust Responses: 312 Meron Benvenisti: The demographic bomb is 1-2 years away Responses: 92 Yoel Marcus: Better to keep tabs on terrorists than to kill them Responses: 47 Rosner's Domain Does John McCain need Evangelical voters? (WTR) Rosner's Guest(s): Orthodox women want a "seat at the table" Gaza: The Problem Nobody Wants Poll: Is it important to have an Israeli-Palestinian agreement by the end of 2008? The row over Obama's stance on Israel is a dispute between Jews More Headlines 06:24 Settlements growing despite PM pledge to stop building 05:21 ANALYSIS: When it comes to Jerusalem, both sides are right 01:44 Report: UK police did not arrest IDF general fearing shootout 03:11 MKs to tour Europe, Far East urging stronger action against Iran 03:15 Secular families leave J'lem neighborhood, ultra-Orthodox take over 22:42 Peace minded residents of Gaza, Sderot meet online, write blog 06:20 Sweden accused of persecuting civil servant for pro-Israel views 04:05 Officials at odds over first planned Arab city since Israel established 04:27 Police arrest 2 men for assaulting cab driver, 72, then stealing his taxi 06:34 IDF history dept. chief allegedly made soldiers help write his books 04:42 Labor party minister appeals bill 'empowering' rabbinical courts 05:41 Business owners in north told to return Lebanon war compensation Previous Editions Select Day 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb

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