Chaos theory

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Humanitarian considerations were not the only reason Egypt let the Palestinians cross into its territories after Israel had tightened its stranglehold on Gaza. Cairo was fully aware of the crisis in which certain people were trying to involve it.

The crisis in Gaza, whether the outcome of Israeli practices or inter-Palestinian rivalry, is not of Egypt's doing. Egypt has been attempting to alleviate the suffering caused by the occupation and has long striven to help create a Palestinian state so as to end the occupation. The decision to open the borders with Gaza provides further evidence that Egyptian leaders understand the magnitude of the plot Israel, with the help of others, is hatching. Israel obviously wants to see Gaza explode like a bomb which will then send shrapnel across the region, and certainly into nearby Egypt.

What Egypt did was to allow a release to the head of steam before the explosion took place, an exercise in crisis management from which others might learn. Proof of the soundness of the move can be seen in the angry statements coming from Israeli officials, obviously disappointed that Egypt didn't give them the chance to go on with their schemes.

As the Palestinians poured across the borders to buy food, fuel and other essentials, some -- both inside Egypt and abroad -- tried to capitalise on the humanitarian crisis. Certain people in Egypt, known for their close ties with Hamas, even made plans to blackmail the Egyptian government.

Telephone calls between Damascus-based Khaled Meshaal, head of Hamas's Political Bureau, and Mohamed Akef, leader of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, are a case in point. Even before Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, Akef agreed to send Brotherhood supporters into the streets in an attempt to pressure the government to open the Rafah checkpoint. The ensuing chaos on Egypt's borders was supposed to get Hamas off the hook and spare it the blame which it, along with Fatah, deserves for failing to reach a consensus that could end the ordeal of Gaza's residents.

Israel's involvement in the recent events brings to mind the hoary old suggestion -- still embraced by Israel's right- wing -- that the Palestinians be settled in Sinai. This may explain the ferocity with which Israel has been attacking Gaza, killing almost 50 Palestinians in raids last week, and squeezing the populace through a merciless blockade. Israel has threatened to cut off all links with Gaza and abdicate its responsibilities as an occupation authority, hoping that it can in this way force someone else to assume responsibility for the turbulent strip.

Should we be surprised if the Israelis start building a wall between them and Gaza, just like the one they're building in the West Bank? Wouldn't that be in keeping with the idea of a Jewish state that President George Bush advocated during his recent visit to the region? Too much conspiracy theory? When it comes to Israel it's difficult to have too much.