Suleiman urges Israel to consider consequences of IDF op in Gaza

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Egypt has warned Israel away from an intensive military campaign in the Gaza Strip, saying that such an operation would likely lead to a high number of civilian casualties, the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Wednesday. According to the report, the Egyptian concern was related during a meeting which took place on Sunday between Egyptian Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and the Defense Ministry's Diplomatic-Security Bureau head Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad. The report stated that Israel had proposed the possibility of an operation which would aim to eliminate the Hamas leadership. The two also discussed the matter of the Rafah Crossing, which has remained closed for the past two weeks, after having been breached by Hamas-backed Palestinians. According to the report, Suleiman urged Israel to work towards an agreement which would allow the border to be opened.