The LA Times is reporting today that Egypt has quietly begun construction of a security wall to prevent smuggling into Gaza.
Egypt's wall is planned to extend 100 feet below ground in order to stem the smuggling into Gaza from its territory.
Construction on the 100-foot-deep steel wall began a few weeks ago, but the Egyptian government didn't publicly acknowledge the project until the weekend. Officials defended the effort against accusations that it was an affront to Palestinians by the government of President Hosni Mubarak, which opposes Hamas, the militant group ruling Gaza.
"Whether it is a wall, sensors or tapping devices . . . what matters is that Egyptian territory must be protected," Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit was quoted as saying by Al Ahram al Arabi weekly magazine. "Whoever says Egypt is imposing its control on the border, we tell them this is Egypt's full right."
"Politically delicate" might be a good phrase to borrow regarding the construction of the barrier as Egypt weighs it relations between Palestinians and protection of its border. The government's critics contend it is simply bowing to US and Israeli pressure:
"It is a wall of shame being built by Egypt on the borders with Gaza," wrote Ibrahim Issa, chief editor of daily newspaper Al Dustour. "It is like a total obedience to the American recommendations. We are opening our territories for a barrier that only serves and supports the Israeli and U.S. policies."
Israel is given a back-handed compliment by the same critic as he acknowledges the functioning democracy in that country as opposed to Egypt:
Unlike in Israel, where constructing a wall separating its territories from Gaza and the West Bank was debated in parliament and in the media before it was given the thumbs up, our regime was keen on classifying any information regarding the new wall. This is simply because Israel adopts a democratic system while Egypt doesn't enjoy such luxury," he wrote.
Since Egypt is indeed an authoritarian government it is hard to know the motivation behind the construction.
That will not stop us from speculation though!