The tense situation on the Israel-Egyptian frontier in the Gaza area was discussed today at a meeting of the Israel Cabinet while Egyptians opened heavy automatic and mortar fire on an Israel patrol moving along the border in the Nahal Oz area opposite the Gaza strip. The Israel patrol returned the fire and no casualties were reported.
A spokesman for the United Nations observers said here today that Maj Gen. E.L.M. Burns, chief of the UN truce supervision organization expects to meet tomorrow with top Israeli officials possibly with Prime Minister Moshe Shareit to convey the contents of his talk a few days ago in Cairo with Egyptian Premier Gamal Abdel Nasser regarding the situation in the Gaza area.
The UN spokesman declined to confirm or deny reports that Col Nasser suggested to Gen. Burns the establishment of a “neutral demilitarized zone” along the Israel-Egyptian border in the Gaza strip and the evacuation of regular forces from there. He said that after the expected meeting between Gen. Burns and Prime Minister Sharett the possibility exists that a meeting will be fixed between the Israel and Egyptian commanders of the respective forces in the Gaza area.
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