The much-anticipated opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which was now supposed to be under the full control of the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, did not take place Wednesday as scheduled.
Under the terms of a reconciliation deal still being negotiated with Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorist organization, the crossings were to be managed by the Palestinian Authority.
However, Iranian-backed Hamas is refusing to give up its weapons and will not relinquish its iron grip over security in Gaza.
PA spokesperson Azzam al-Ahmad blamed Cairo, saying Egypt was citing “special circumstances” as the reason for delaying the opening of the crossing.
Talks are underway with Cairo to set a new date, said Ahmad, an adviser to Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas.
However, according to a report by Associated Press, the European Union says it is sending diplomats to the region for a “possible redeployment” of international observers who formerly helped monitor the crossing.
Tensions are rising in the area due to escalating threats by the Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group which has vowed to retaliate against Israel for destroying a terrorist tunnel that penetrated under the Gaza border into Israeli territory.
At least 12 operatives were killed in the pre-planned detonation, including five who were trapped on the Israeli side of the border.
Israel refused to return the bodies until the bodies of two fallen Israeli soldiers and the living hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza are also returned in exchange — a deal which was rejected by Hamas.