JERUSALEM: European monitors overseeing the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt said on Thursday that Egypt made a commitment to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to keep Hamas officials from using the border to bring in funds. But top Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said later that Egypt may not stop officials from Hamas, which took control of the Palestinian government in March, from entering in the future. Egypt is a country with laws of its own, he said. Diplomats estimate that Hamas, whose government is restricted by US and EU sanctions, has managed to bring about $80 million through Rafah this year.
Hamas says the funds are used to keep the government it heads functioning. Israel says they are being used to finance militants. This month, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, tried to cross Rafah with $35 million in cash raised during a 2-1/2 week tour of the region, including Iran. He was forced to leave the funds in an Egyptian bank. Maria Telleria, spokeswoman for the European monitors, said Erekat on Wednesday told Rafah s coordination committee, which includes the Europeans, Israelis and Egyptians, that a commitment was made by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to Abbas to stop the money on the Egyptian side of the border. “If [Hamas officials] are carrying money, it will be deposited in an Egyptian bank and not be allowed through Rafah, Telleria said. It is a commitment, not an agreement, to try to solve the problem of the money in the future.
A commitment to block Hamas from crossing Rafah with funds is likely to please Israel, the US and the EU, which regard Hamas as a terrorist organization. They have tried to push its government towards collapse via sanctions and the severing of direct aid. Hamas may be able to find others not directly affiliated with its movement to bring in cash on its behalf. For regular travellers entering Gaza through Rafah, sums over $19,000 must be declared.
