Cairo, Egypt – A high-level Palestinian delegation arrived in Cairo on Sunday to hold talks with Egyptian officials on a number of issues related to the implementation of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip.
Also, in addition to discussing developments in the security and economic situation in the occupied West Bank.
Sky News Arabia quoted a well-informed Palestinian source as saying that the delegation is headed
by Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh and includes Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj.
This visit comes at a sensitive time, amid escalating humanitarian and political pressures related to the situation in Gaza.
The source explained that the Palestinian Authority’s role, at the beginning of the second phase of the agreement,
will be limited to managing the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Rafah crossing opened
It is expected to open in both directions during the middle of January, provided
that the final arrangements for this are reached.
He added that approximately 200 Palestinian security personnel from the Presidential Guard and intelligence forces,
In addition to the technical and logistical support personnel,
they will be present at the Rafah crossing in civilian clothes.
This is on the condition that they operate in accordance with
the mechanisms of the crossing operation agreement signed in 2005.
With the participation of European monitoring forces, and with Israeli security arrangements “remotely”.
The source indicated that Israel has not yet officially announced the reopening of the crossing.
This is despite what is stipulated in the ceasefire agreement that began to be implemented
on October 10, through American, Egyptian, and Qatari mediation.
Deep anxiety
In a related context, Egypt, along with six other Islamic countries, expressed its deep concern in a joint statement.
This is in light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,
which has been exacerbated by harsh and unstable weather conditions.
These countries called on Israel to guarantee the work of the United Nations
and international non-governmental organizations within the sector.
Allowing the immediate, complete and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid.
In early December, Israel announced its intention to open the Rafah crossing
in one direction only, to allow Gaza residents to leave for Egypt.
However, Cairo quickly denied agreeing to this proposal, stressing
its commitment to opening the crossing in both directions according to the agreed frameworks.
