Egypt deploys troops on Gaza border

Israel’s Cabinet today approved a plan for Egypt to deploy 750 troops on its volatile border with the Gaza Strip to prevent the smuggling of weapons into the Palestinian territory.

The transfer of border security to the Egyptians is key to ending Israel’s 38-year occupation of the Gaza Strip. Israel currently patrols a security strip, known as the Philadelphi Road, along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Israel and Egypt completed an agreement last week on the new security regime over the border area.

Israel has expressed concern that militants will take advantage of the pullout to increase smuggling of explosives and weapons for future attacks against Israel.

The Cabinet approved the Egyptian troop deployment by a vote of 18-2, according to government officials.

Under the new agreement, Egyptian troops will be responsible for the security tasks Israeli soldiers used to conduct on the border.

It wasn’t immediately clear what responsibilities Palestinian troops on the Gaza side of the border would have.

Palestinian forces have been working with Israeli troops along the border since a cease-fire between Israel and militant groups was reached earlier this year.

Egypt has also sent security officials into Gaza to train Palestinian forces.

Israel completed the evacuation of all 21 civilian settlements in Gaza last week. Officials expected to finish the withdrawal by October.