The London-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper reported (Tuesday) that the operation in Rafah was approved after full coordination with the Americans and notification to Egypt of the intention to invade the southern city. According to the report, Prime Minister Netanyahu received the green light for a limited operation that will last several days. The Americans said that the raid was allowed "in order to obtain an image of victory that can be marketed to the ministers on the extreme right."
A Western source claims that the head of the CIA coordinated the operation together with the head of the Mossad, Dadi Barnea, and that the US will ban the transfer of ammunition to Israel if the Prime Minister violates the agreement.
According to him, Cairo was persuaded by the temporary step so that it would lead to the latest negotiations sponsored by Egypt. At the same time, Saudi sources reported that an Israeli delegation had arrived in Cairo in order to exhaust the possibility of reaching an agreement under conditions acceptable to Israel.