Israel decides not to open Rafah crossing at present despite Washington's demand

The Israeli government decided, yesterday evening, not to open the Rafah crossing temporarily, despite the United States' demand for it as part of the second phase of the agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip, and US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.

Sources reported that the Israeli mini-cabinet (the security cabinet) decided not to open the Rafah crossing at present, and clarified that this decision comes within the framework of "confrontation with the United States" regarding the second phase of the American plan.

Sources quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that "the inclusion of representatives from Turkey and Qatar in the executive council for Gaza was not mentioned in the original understandings between Israel and the United States, and the powers of this new council are not yet clear, nor is its role. The Rafah crossing will remain closed due to the Israeli-American dispute.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a phone call on Saturday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which he expressed his reservations about including Qatar and Turkey in the advisory council that will oversee the interim administration of the Gaza Strip, according to informed sources.

Sources said that Rubio informed Netanyahu - who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes in Gaza - during the call, that there is no turning back on the involvement of Qatar and Turkey in the advisory council and that the decision has been made.

Netanyahu had said that he disagreed with Washington regarding the Gaza executive council announced by the White House last Friday evening, but he clarified that he was about to begin the second phase of the US President's plan for Gaza.

Netanyahu's office had previously said that there was no coordination between America and Israel regarding the announcement of the Gaza executive council, and that Tel Aviv would discuss the matter with Secretary of State Rubio.