Gaza: What to expect from the reopening of Rafah crossing by Israel? • FRANCE 24 English

Israel Reopens Rafah Crossing: A Tentative Step in Ceasefire Implementation

Key Concepts:

• Rafah Crossing: The primary border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, crucial for humanitarian aid and civilian movement.
• Ceasefire (US-backed): The current attempt to halt hostilities between Israel and Hamas, proceeding in phases.
• Technocratic Committee: A new Palestinian leadership committee intended to administer Gaza.
• Hamas: The Islamist militant group that has controlled Gaza since 2006.
• "Gaslighting": A form of psychological manipulation where someone is made to question their own reality.
• Trump Imposed Ceasefire Plan/Board of Peace: A US initiative for peace in the region, ultimately unsuccessful.

1. Rafah Crossing Reopening & Initial Limitations

Israel has reopened the Rafah border crossing, a move long advocated for by humanitarian organizations. This reopening, however, is on a trial basis and is significantly limited. The crossing was initially seized by Israel in May 2024, leading to its closure. Currently, Israel is only permitting pedestrian traffic, estimating a maximum of 150 people per day. There is no immediate plan to allow the passage of materials or aid through the crossing on the Israeli side. This restriction severely limits the amount of supplies individuals can carry. The crossing itself is not an Israeli border, but rather connects Egypt (a sovereign state with peace accords with Israel) and Gaza, whose future governance remains uncertain.

2. Potential Leadership Transition in Gaza

A significant development is Israel’s intention to allow the newly formed technocratic leadership committee – intended to take over governance in Gaza – to cross the Rafah crossing from Egypt and enter Gaza. This would represent the first concrete step towards a potential change in leadership within Gaza. This committee is meant to administer the territory, but the process and its success are highly uncertain.

3. Ceasefire Phase Two & Hamas Disarmament

The reopening of Rafah is presented as the first major step in the second phase of the US-backed ceasefire. This phase hinges on several key developments: discussions regarding Hamas laying down its arms, and Israel redeploying its soldiers from Gaza, potentially to a perimeter or buffer zone. However, Hamas has publicly stated it has not agreed to disarm, dismissing the notion as originating from unknown sources. The success of these discussions is heavily reliant on continued US pressure and engagement.

4. Potential for Pan-Arab Intervention

A more ambitious, though currently improbable, scenario discussed is the potential deployment of pan-Arab forces to Gaza to compel Hamas to disarm and facilitate the transfer of power to the technocratic committee. This possibility highlights the complex regional dynamics at play.

5. The Situation in Gaza: A Sense of "Gaslighting"

Correspondent Noga Polanski describes the situation in Gaza as one where the population is being “gaslit.” While heavy warfare has ceased following a ceasefire plan initially imposed by former US President Trump, Gazans continue to experience daily Israeli firepower. They are being presented with promises of a future as part of a Palestinian nation, but without any concrete plans or implementing forces to realize this vision.

6. The Failure of the Trump "Board of Peace"

The Trump administration’s “Board of Peace,” initially intended as an oversight committee for the Gaza project, has effectively collapsed. Trump’s attempt to repurpose the board to replace the United Nations coincided with his controversial bid to acquire Greenland, leading to widespread international withdrawal and rendering the board “toothless.”

7. Impact on Israeli Citizens Near the Gaza Border

The report also notes the plight of Israeli citizens living near the Gaza border who have been forced to return to their homes. The Israeli government is not providing assistance for reconstruction or future planning for these citizens.

8. Data & Statistics

• Maximum pedestrian traffic: 150 people per day.
• Hamas control of Gaza: Since 2006, following a coup d'état against the Palestinian Authority.
• Rafah crossing closure: Since May 2024, following Israeli seizure.

9. Notable Quotes

• Noga Polanski: “The people of Gaza, in a way, to use a popular term in our days, will are being gaslit.” – highlighting the perceived disconnect between promises and reality for Gazans.
• Noga Polanski: “Trump tried to change it into a body that could replace the UN. Unfortunately for his plan, he did this the same week he was trying to uh take over Greenland. And so the entire Western world withdrew from this uh body…” – explaining the rapid failure of the Trump “Board of Peace.”

10. Synthesis & Conclusion

The reopening of the Rafah crossing represents a fragile and limited step forward in the implementation of the US-backed ceasefire. While it offers a potential pathway for limited civilian movement and a possible leadership transition in Gaza, significant obstacles remain. The success of the ceasefire hinges on Hamas’s willingness to disarm, Israel’s redeployment, and sustained US engagement. The situation in Gaza remains critical, with a pervasive sense of disillusionment and a lack of concrete plans for the future. The failure of previous peace initiatives, such as the Trump “Board of Peace,” underscores the complexity of the conflict and the challenges ahead. The current situation is characterized by uncertainty and a lack of a clear path towards lasting peace and stability for both Gazans and Israelis living near the border.