Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Saturday that the United States had vowed that the Gaza Strip would never turned into a big prison after finalizing the Israeli withdrawal.

Erekat told the Voice of Palestine radio that the Palestinians fear that closing Rafah crossing on the borders between Egypt and Gaza Strip would not be temporarily and might be an enduring closing.

The Palestinian side demanded the US help and support on this issue where the US vowed that Gaza Strip would never be a big prison, he added.

Israel announced early Thursday that the crossing of Rafah would be closed down and the Palestinian travelers would use a new terminal which Israel would build at Kerem Shalom.

Erekat doubted and said "I believe that Israel intends to permanently close Rafah crossing where the Gaza Strip would be turned to a big prison."

He added that he had many experiences with the Israelis and all proved that every time Israel suggest a temporary solution it doesn't be committed to it.

Erekat, however, stressed that he had heard from the US that Gaza Strip would not be the first and the last, but it would be the start that would return the spirit to the roadmap plan of peace.

Source: Xinhua