The European monitors stationed at the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt have informed the Palestinian presidency of their intention to close the crossing and not resume their work due to continued violations by Palestinians of the Crossings' agreements, Palestinian reliable sources have declared.

According to the source, the observers from the European Union have complained about Palestinian Legislative Council (Hamas) member, Marwan Abu Ras, who they say 'smuggled' US $1 million into the Strip in the last 48 hours against the monitors' wishes.

The Palestinian presidency has placed the blame directly on all those who continue to 'smuggle' money through the crossings and not respect the agreed agreements. The presidency said that these people are taking the Palestinians "hostage to this illegal behaviour ".

Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence has warned that Palestinians 'smuggled' 19 tonnes of explosives through the border from Egypt into the Strip...