JERUSALEM, June 20 (UPI) -- Israel's withdrawal from Gaza would include the Philadelphi route if Cairo undertakes to effectively prevent arms smuggling there, an Israeli official said.
That route is an Israeli wedge along the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt.
The senior official said in a press briefing in Jerusalem Israel is "quite content" with the way Egypt intends to cooperate with the withdrawal plans, but so far there is only talk. The source spoke on condition he not be identified.
Israel wants Egypt to strengthen its deployment opposite the Philadelphi route to prevent explosives and weapons smuggling. Cairo should also get Palestinian leaders to fight terror, he said.
The source said he sensed "a real professional dialogue" with Egypt.
Egypt wants to prevent Hamas from taking over the Gaza Strip, since Hamas is the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood's "sister." Cairo wants, also, to present "a positive face" to the west, he added.
Israel does not intend "to deliberately transfer settlers from Gaza to the West Bank" but if they will take the compensation and move there they would be like any other person going there, he said.
