FALCON POWERS – According to Egyptian sources, the Israeli delegation present in Cairo discussed the field situation on the Philadelphia border axis, which has been the subject of extensive discussions in recent times.
According to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Israel presented proposals that include Israeli supervision over the axis after the withdrawal of the Israeli army, according to an agreed timetable, and that Tel Aviv would have the ability to enter and control it if it claims the existence of weapon smuggling operations through the border strip.
In contrast, the Israeli Army Radio broadcasted yesterday details of what it called an Egyptian proposal to Israel in the event that the latter proceeds with a prisoner exchange deal.
The radio stated in its report that “Egypt expressed its readiness to assist in the construction of an underground barrier to prevent the passage of weapons to Gaza, if Israel agrees to the exchange deal.”
It explained that “Egypt sent a message to the head of the Mossad containing a proposal, during the last talks on Friday”, stating that: “If Israel agrees to the deal, Egypt will work with the United States to help build an underground barrier to prevent the passage of weapons to Gaza, in the early days of the ceasefire agreement.”
While the agreement on the status of the Rafah crossing will be a key part of today’s talks, with American participation, the “Israeli side showed flexibility in handing over the Rafah crossing to what it described as a civilian authority to manage it, but with agreed-upon conditions and controls,” according to an informed Egyptian source, who added that “the matter requires detailed discussions in the coming days.”
