Israel Signals Rafah Crossing Could Reopen Soon
Israel has announced that the Rafah crossing — Gaza’s crucial link to Egypt — is expected to reopen within days. The move would allow Palestinians to leave the enclave for the first time in months.
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| Israel Plans to Reopen Rafah Crossing — A Lifeline for Palestinians Seeking Medical Escape from Gaza |
The Israeli military coordination office, COGAT, stated that departures would be arranged through cooperation with Egypt, with EU observers involved and security approval required from Israel. Officials said the plan mirrors the temporary arrangement used during January’s ceasefire.
An Israeli security representative framed the decision as support for the ongoing ceasefire with Hamas, now in its seventh week.
Egypt Denies Direct Coordination With Israel
Egypt, however, rejected claims of coordination.
According to the State Information Service, any reopening must allow both entry and exit, aligning with the US-backed Gaza peace plan introduced by President Donald Trump.
That plan outlines security protocols similar to those used earlier this year.
Humanitarian Pressure Growing
Rafah has remained largely shut since May 2024, when Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side.
Before then, it served as a lifeline for medical evacuations and humanitarian aid.
📌 Current emergency needs
- More than 16,500 critically sick or injured Palestinians are waiting to leave Gaza
- Only 235 patients — mostly children — have been able to exit since the ceasefire began (WHO)
Aid agencies warn that delays are costing lives every day.
Who Will Operate the Crossing?
Reports from Haaretz say that:
- Palestinian Authority (PA) personnel may help run the terminal
- EU monitors would supervise operations
During the previous ceasefire, PA staff assisted without visible insignia due to Israeli opposition to their governance role in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to reject any future PA authority in the territory.
Hostage Dispute Still Delaying Progress
Israeli leadership has reportedly slowed reopening plans while awaiting the return of deceased hostages.
Under the ceasefire’s first stage:
- 20 living Israeli hostages were freed
- 28 Israeli & foreign hostages’ bodies were supposed to be returned
- Israel released 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees
So far, 23 deceased Israelis and 3 foreign nationals have been returned.
Two remaining victims — an Israeli man (24) and a Thai national (43) — are still held in Gaza.
Recent remains delivered by Hamas were confirmed not to be from those individuals.
Conflict Toll Continues to Rise
Both sides remain locked in a sensitive negotiation as Gaza endures the aftermath of the October 2023 attack:
- 7 October 2023: 1,200 people were killed, 251 taken hostage by Hamas
- Israel’s offensive has since caused over 70,100 deaths in Gaza (Hamas-run ministry)
With ceasefire demands and humanitarian urgency growing, the Rafah crossing’s reopening is now seen as a life-or-death necessity.