Concerns about Egyptian control of Gaza

Submitted by Nachman Rosenberg (United States), Feb 7, 2008 at 08:37

Dear Mr. Pipes,

I have a question about your suggestion:

If Egypt assumes responsibility for Gaza, is it not likely that this will diminish Israel's security in at least two ways:

Weapons will increase. They may secretly allow Iran, Hamas and others to import serious weapons, including long range missiles, and they might even secretly, or openly under guise of necessary policing power, import their own heavy weapons. (I don't believe that the deployment of forces agreement will stop them.) These, of course, will ultimately be turned against Israel.

Israel will be impeded from responding. Won't Egyptian control limit or prevent Israeli retaliation or preventive strikes if the missiles from Gaza, or perhaps northern Sinai, continue, as they likely will.

I am curious to know what you think about this. I am certain that your other readers are also curious, so perhaps publish a follow-up piece describing what you think might happen if your suggestion is adopted.

Thank you, and thank you for your very valuable work.

Nachman Rosenberg

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