Israeli officials say Israel and Egypt have reached a deal for stationing Egyptian guards along the southern border of the Gaza Strip once Israel's withdrawal from Gaza is complete.
Israel's Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz says the agreement gives comprehensive responsibility to the Egyptians to stop Palestinian weapons-smuggling into Gaza.
On Tuesday, Israeli troops completed the evacuation of 21 Jewish settlements in Gaza and four in the West Bank under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to "disengage" from the Palestinians.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government has issued orders to seize more land in the West Bank for construction of its controversial separation barrier.
The new section of the barrier would effectively annex the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim to Jerusalem. Israel plans to take about 65 square kilometers of land that Palestinians claim for a future state.