Wikileaks: Israel tried to plan Cast Lead with Egypt, PA

June 2009 telegram quotes Barak as saying gov't had offered Egypt, Fatah to "assume control over Gaza once IDF defeated Hamas."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
iaf white phosphorus airstrike gaza beautiful 311 (photo credit: BLOOMBERG)
iaf white phosphorus airstrike gaza beautiful 311
(photo credit: BLOOMBERG)
Israel tried to coordinate Operation Cast Lead with both Egypt and the Palestinian Authority, according to a US diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks on Sunday night.
The information on the December 2008 Gaza operation was revealed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, in a June 2009 telegram.
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The document quoted then-deputy US ambassador Luis Moreno as saying that Barak had "explained that the GOI (government of Israel) had consulted with Egypt and Fatah prior to Operation Cast Lead, asking if they were willing to assume control of Gaza once Israel defeated Hamas."
"Not surprisingly, Barak said, the GOI received negative answers from both," the document went on.
According to the telegram, the defense minister had also "stressed the importance of continued consultations with both Egypt and Fatah," over the reconstruction of Gaza.
Israeli officials would not comment on the leaks on Monday.
AP contributed to this report