Last update - 07:29 10/02/2005
IDF freezes plans for Philadelphi channel
By Amos
Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
Progress in talks between Israel and the Palestinians and relative calm in the territories has led the security forces this month to freeze plans for a water channel along the Philadelphi route at Rafah between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
The channel was to have helped prevent the digging of weapons smuggling tunnels over the Egyptian border and to protect IDF troops, who are expected to remain deployed along the Philadelphi route after disengagement.
IDF officers a few weeks ago presented to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz various alternatives for digging the channel, including digging a channel of the narrowest possible width of 130 meters, or one of 290 meters, considered the efficient range of the rocket-propelled grenades to which the Palestinians have access.
The first alternative would involve the destruction of approximately 70 Palestinian homes, while the second would involve 1,500 homes. The channel, which would take a year to construct, would eventually run the entire 12-kilometer length of the Philadelphi route, and could be completed after disengagement.
However a senior IDF officer told Haaretz that recent developments warranted putting the project on hold. According to the officer, the understandings reached with regard to disengagement in conjunction with the Palestinian Authority, and especially Egypt's willingness to deploy police along the border, could make the channel unnecessary.
Israel is also concerned that the widespread demolition of houses before disengagement could arouse international furor. The Justice Ministry was opposed to large-scale destruction of houses, although it did not entirely rule out the possibility of some house demolition.
Until the final disposition of the channel, the army will continue to fortify the route itself. A 1,700-meter-long steel wall was constructed two years ago along the central part of the route, to which a 600-meter-long concrete wall was recently added, intended to stop shooting from the direction of Rafah.
In the coming months the wall will eventually be extended along the entire route, and a road will be paved west of the wall that will be patrolled by armored vehicles. The four fortified bases along the route - Aluf, Girit, Hardon and Termit - will remain in place. A fifth fortification, housing the IDF liaison unit with foreign forces, may move south to the area of Kerem Shalom, if it is decided to move the Rafah crossing to this area.
Military sources admit that the present deployment of forces is unable to stop smuggling through tunnels since the fence on the Egyptian side is completely open, and systems designed to detect tunnels are not sufficiently effective.
Still, the IDF and the Shin Bet recommend holding on to the route for the time being, even after disengagement, viewing it as preferable to leaving it to the Palestinians who might use it to smuggle long-range Katushya rockets that would endanger Negev communities.