Israel, Palestinians oK Gaza border deal
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-15 22:57

Israeli soldiers hold back Palestinians from crossing the Howara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, as the military checks IDs. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice secured an agreement from Israel to open Gaza's borders, seeking to head off Palestinian warnings that the territory would become a giant prison [AFP]

Under the agreement, the Gaza-Egypt border would tentatively open Nov. 25. It will be operated by Palestinian and Egypt border officials, under the supervision of European monitors. Israel had demanded veto powers, but in the ended conceded on the issue, said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. Israel will receive live transmissions via closed circuit TV from the crossing there, and can raise objections concerning travelers, but the Palestinians have the final say.

The European group will be headed by an Italian general, said Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Shaath.

Construction of a Gaza seaport is to begin soon, and Palestinians will be able to travel between the West Bank and Gaza in bus convoys, starting Dec. 15.

The deal came amid political upheaval in Israel that could topple Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's shaky coalition government. Sharon's junior partner, the Labor Party, chose a new leader last week who said he would pull the party out of the coalition.

Sharon's Likud Party is still deeply divided following the Gaza pullout. Several lawmakers in the traditionally hard-line party are still furious over what they regard as a tactical mistake and an emotional blow. Without Labor's support, it will be difficult for Sharon to maintain a parliamentary majority.

The Knesset, Israel's parliament, is scheduled on Wednesday to vote on a bill to dissolve parliament and force new elections. That could force elections within three months. The scheduled vote is November 2006.

The Palestinians have elections scheduled for January that the United States views as a test of the new leadership's democratic resolve.