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Last update - 00:01 11/06/2008 UN Secretary General suggests int'l force to man Gaza crossings By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Gaza, Ban Ki-moon  The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has suggested dispatching a multinational force to control Gaza's border crossings, in an attempt to end the blockade on the Strip. The crossings into Gaza have been closed since Hamas took over Gaza a year ago, because Europeans monitoring the crossing require Israeli security clearance to operate, which has not been issued since Hamas' victory. Ban said that the presence of a multinational force would allow for the uninterrupted and full operation of three border crossings: Sufa and Karni, between Gaza and Israel, and Rafah, between the Strip and Egypt. Advertisement According to an impending deal to alleviate the Gaza blockade, the crossings will be supervised by Palestinian Authority troops, which will be allowed back into the Strip. Ban's proposal is to reinforce them with a 500- to 1000-strong UN-commissioned force. Ban outlined his plan during a meeting of the Quartet of Middle East peace mediators in London. It has also been presented to the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and to EU and Russian officials. Although its mandate has yet to be determined, the force's scope of work would focus on inspecting cargo going into and coming out of Gaza. It will also serve as a necessary buffer between the adversary Hamas and Fatah forces. An Israeli source has said that PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Ban are keen to resolve the Gaza crossings crisis, an issue of high priority to Gazans. "Opening the crossings by the Palestinian Authority, in conjunction with an international force, will be perceived as a great achievement by Fayyad and [Palestinian President Mahmoud] Abbas, and raise their stakes in the Palestinian public opinion," the source said. "The PA will also have, for the first time since Hamas took over, some kind of foothold in Gaza," the source added. Jerusalem officials have not rejected the initiative, but have expressed doubt over its feasibility. States would be apprehensive of sending troops to the volatile Gaza Strip, the officials said, and it is also unclear whether Hamas would accept it. Related articles: Ban: Hezbollah hindering talks on prisoner swap UN warns of humanitarian crisis as Israel seals Gaza crossings EU warns Israel not to impose 'collective punishment' in Gaza PA seeks int'l intervention as Gaza power cuts imminent Bookmark to del.icio.us   Snoop Dogg in Israel American rapper Snoop Dogg slated to perform in Ramat Gan. Late date Scientists revive 2,000-year-old date seed found at Masada.   1.   Excellent idea 00:30  |  Palestinian in UK 11/06/08   2.   Enough of the UN manning crossings 00:49  |  * BEN JABO 11/06/08   3.   Great job at closing eyes at Hezbollah`s arming has earned intl 01:05  |  Absolute Sweden 11/06/08   4.   Yep, just what the doctor prescribed; what a joke! NEVER 03:00  |  Pervert 11/06/08   5.   Yep, just what the doctor prescribed; what a joke! NEVER 03:00  |  Pervert 11/06/08   6.   I doubt whether Hamas will agree to international forces in Gaza 04:43  |  lakshmi 11/06/08   7.   we`ve seen the "effectiveness" of international troops... 07:44  |  scallywag 11/06/08   8.   International presence in Gaza 09:19  |  Reid 11/06/08   9.   The Modus Operandi of Hamas` Charter Is Stuck In The On Position 09:42  |  Lavi 11/06/08   10.   Why Not Have Magic Unicorns Man The Crossings? 02:19  |  JP 12/06/08   11.   everywhere where isreal loses UN pops up 00:41  |  khaled 13/06/08   12.   #11 Khaled - You must believe in the Easter Bunny 15:28  |  * BEN JABO 15/06/08

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