israelinsider: security: Brother of Hamas leader returns from exile through PA-run border crossing

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Palestinians hand over their passports to Palestinian border officials at the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt Sunday Nov. 27, 2005. (AP)


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Brother of Hamas leader returns from exile through PA-run border crossing

By Israel Insider staff and partners November 30, 2005

Israel's defense minister has threatened to shut down crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel if the Palestinians don't improve operations at the Gaza-Egypt border.

Defense 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' 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 via 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 terrorists 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 U.S.-brokered deal on new border arrangements.

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 doesn't improve and the Palestinians don't cooperate (in Rafah) we will close the Erez and Karni crossings," Mofaz said 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 (Judea and Samaria) and Gaza would no longer be part of a customs union with Israel, a step that could devastate the struggling Palestinian economy.

The AP contributed to this report

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