The Haaretz newspaper reported that Israel is refusing to allow members of the Palestinian technocratic committee to enter the Gaza Strip, amid Israeli refusal to open the Rafah crossing despite US demands to do so as part of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Strip.
Haaretz quoted sources as saying that the committee members had planned to enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing this week, but Israel is preventing them from doing so.
The Israeli Security Cabinet decided on Monday not to open the Rafah crossing at this time. Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that this decision comes within the framework of a "confrontation with the United States" regarding the second phase of the American plan.
The Palestinian technocratic committee represents the civilian executive arm within the Gaza Strip. It is a non-political committee that manages the day-to-day operations of the civil service. According to announcements, the committee consists of 15 Palestinian specialists and is headed by Ali Shaath, the former Palestinian Deputy Minister of Planning.
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