Palestinian factions: We reject any guardianship over the Rafah crossing

Bethlehem - Together - The Palestinian factions said today, Wednesday, that they will not accept the imposition of any guardianship over the Rafah crossing by any party, as they consider this an occupation. The factions pointed out that any plan to impose guardianship over the Rafah crossing, its consequences will be dealt with as we deal with the occupation. She stressed that managing the internal situation is a purely Palestinian matter that is agreed upon nationally through established mechanisms. The factions called on the Arab countries, led by Egypt, to reject any attempts to affect Palestinian-Egyptian sovereignty over the Rafah crossing. In turn, Secretary of the Executive Committee of the PLO, Hussein Al-Sheikh, said, 'We reject any form of guardianship over the Rafah crossing and attempts to undermine Palestinian sovereignty over it in partnership with our brothers in Egypt.' Yesterday, Tuesday, the Israeli army spokesman officially announced that the army had taken control of the Rafah crossin g from the Palestinian side. The tanks fired several shells before storming the crossing, which was the only crossing outside Israel's control. Israeli tanks stormed the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian-Palestinian border for the first time since the occupation army withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Source: Maan News Agency