Gaza mission set for end of November

By Andrew Beatty

Date: 17/11/05

The EU is to deploy a monitoring mission to Gaza by the end of this month, following an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Monday (14 November).

Italian Major General Pietro Pistolesi will lead the mission which is expected to number 50 in the initial stages and will last 12 months. The mission will monitor Gaza's border with Egypt at the Rafah crossing point, the territory's only link with other Arab states. Its task will be to train Palestinian officials and ensure that checks are being carried out in line with the agreement. Monitors will be able to order re-checks.

"Our job will be to ensure that the provisions of the agreement are respected," said a Council of Ministers' spokesperson.

It is expected to be one of the most politically sensitive and dangerous missions the EU has undertaken. Israel had been reluctant to renounce its oversight of the crossing that it says is a major smuggling route and the deal was only reached after the high-profile intervention of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Under the deal, people will be able to cross in both directions but goods will only travel from Gaza to Egypt. Goods travelling in the opposite direction will enter via Kerem Shalom, under Israeli supervision. Rafah will be monitored by Israeli experts via video cameras installed at the crossing.

Palestinians want to see the border opened by 25 November. A mission plan is to be adopted by EU foreign ministers on 21 November. With the Palestinian security services still struggling to establish themselves, member states are concerned over the security of the personnel.

The EU was to deploy a monitoring mission to Gaza by the end of November 2005, following an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on 14 November 2005.

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