The Israeli website "Walla" reported that the head of the Israeli Shabak, Ronen Bar, made a call to the head of the Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, to resolve the crisis surrounding the Rafah crossing. Bar informed the Egyptian intelligence chief that Israel is ready for any solution except for the return of "Hamas" to the Rafah crossing. According to the site, "Tel Aviv and Washington agreed to send unofficial representatives of the Palestinian Authority to the Rafah crossing."
Egypt has escalated its rhetoric against the ongoing Israeli operation in Rafah, coinciding with the collapse of ceasefire negotiations hosted by Cairo to halt the violence in Gaza. Hamas announced its approval of the Egyptian paper presented, while Tel Aviv considered it "does not meet its demands."
Egypt confirmed its rejection of the Israeli escalation in Rafah and canceled a meeting that was scheduled between military officials from both sides. A senior Egyptian source stated that Egypt informed the mediators of the negotiations of its firm rejection of the Israeli escalation in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. The source mentioned that Cairo holds the Israeli side responsible for the deterioration of the situation in the sector as well as for preventing aid to civilians in Gaza.
Israeli media reported that Egyptian military officials unexpectedly canceled a meeting with their Israeli counterparts, indicating a worsening diplomatic crisis between Cairo and Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Egyptian sources denied media reports about a phone conversation regarding the Rafah crossing crisis between intelligence chief Lieutenant General Abbas Kamel and Shabak chief Ronan Bar.
