In statements to Sky News channel on Monday, Rashwan said the Palestinian Authority’s administration of the Rafah crossing on the Palestinian side would be a victory for the PA against Israel, which has long opposed involving the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s future.

He added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to delay the formation of a technocratic government made up of independent Palestinians, knowing that such a body would pave the way for establishing an elected Palestinian administration in Gaza, in which the Palestinian Authority could be represented.

Rashwan noted that there has been relative progress on reopening the Rafah crossing and involving the Palestinian Authority in its management, stressing that PA involvement in administering the crossing from the Palestinian side—despite Israeli opposition—is “realistic”.

He pointed out that there is currently no body to manage the crossing, especially since the technocratic government that would run Gaza has not yet been formed, and that the crossing must be opened before moving to the second phase of the peace plan.