A private US security company is to take over the management of the Rafah border crossing after the end of the Israeli military operation in the city on the border near Egypt, according to a report.
Israel, the United States and Egypt have agreed on this, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Tuesday evening, though it was not clear which company was to be involved.
The Israeli government did not wish to comment on the report when asked. In the US, the communications director of the National Security Council, John Kirby, said he knew nothing about it.
Israel's military has advanced into parts of Rafah in the Gaza Strip and also took control of the border crossing on the Palestinian side.
Israel has promised not to damage the facilities of the border crossing in order to ensure its continued operation, Haaretz said.
Israel has also reportedly assured the United States and Egypt that it will limit the operation in Rafah, saying its sole aim is to ensure that Hamas no longer has any control over the border crossing.
Israel says this would be a considerable setback for Hamas, which would no longer be able to levy taxes on incoming goods.
