Israel says Rafah crossing to open for Palestinian exits as Egypt denies any coordination

Key Concepts

• Rafa Crossing: The sole crossing point between Gaza and Egypt, crucial for the movement of people and goods, and not passing through Israel.
• Ceasefire Agreement: A US-brokered deal aiming for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, which includes provisions for reopening crossings.
• Security Council Resolution 2803: Adopted on October 17th, this resolution endorses a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, including the opening of all crossings for Palestinian movement in both directions.
• Trump Peace Plan: A comprehensive plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, endorsed by Security Council Resolution 2803, which includes provisions for opening crossings in both directions and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF).
• International Stabilization Force (ISF): An international force envisioned to secure border areas, including Rafa, as part of the Trump Peace Plan and Security Council Resolution 2803.
• Board of Peace: A body chaired by President Trump, intended to supervise the deployment of the ISF and exercise strategic oversight on Gaza's future.
• Depopulation: The act of reducing the population of an area, a concern raised regarding the one-way opening of the Rafa crossing.
• Genocidal Acts: Actions described as ongoing in Gaza, despite a halt in mass bombardment, including heavy artillery and drone deployment.

Reopening of Rafa Crossing and Palestinian Concerns

Israel has announced that the Rafa crossing with Egypt will reopen in the coming days. However, the Israeli government's statement specifies that Palestinians will only be permitted to exit the Gaza Strip, and all such movements will require Israel's approval. Crucially, the statement does not address whether or when Palestinians will be allowed to return to Gaza through this crossing. This unilateral announcement contrasts with the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal, which calls for the reopening of the crossing in both directions.

Egyptian Stance and Disagreement

Egypt has denied coordinating with Israel on the reopening of the Rafa crossing under these conditions. Historically, the Rafa crossing has been the only Gaza crossing not controlled by Israel, primarily facilitating the movement of people. Before the current conflict, it was jointly managed by Palestinian and Egyptian authorities in coordination with Israel. However, the Israeli army occupied the Palestinian side of the crossing last year, destroying infrastructure and closing it entirely.

Palestinian Perspectives on the Decision

Hani Mahmud, reporting from Gaza City, highlights the concern among Palestinians regarding the timing and implications of Israel's decision. He notes that the current situation exacerbates difficult living conditions, creating a "permanent sense of displacement" and a feeling that life in Gaza is becoming "so difficult across the Gaza due to the ongoing genocidal acts." Mahmud clarifies that while mass bombardment has ceased, other forms of violence, including heavy artillery and drone deployment, continue. The current situation presents Palestinians with a stark choice: remain in Gaza amidst devastation and challenges or risk departing with no guarantee of return. This fear of permanent departure is amplified by the fact that thousands who have already fled Gaza are now stranded abroad with no assurance of returning. The one-way opening of Rafa is seen not as restoring freedom of movement but as "accelerating the depopulation of the Gaza Strip."

Israeli Approach to Ceasefire Implementation

Nur, reporting from Ramla in the occupied West Bank, describes Israel's approach to implementing the ceasefire agreement as "drip-dropping," with conditions attached that Israel itself judges as met. This includes not opening all five stipulated crossings in the first stage, citing the non-handover of all Israeli captive bodies. The announcement regarding Rafa is particularly noteworthy for its one-way focus. Egypt's response, denying coordination and insisting on a two-way opening, underscores the divergence in perspectives. Israel's justification, suggesting that if Egypt doesn't want to accept them, it's Egypt's problem, reveals a mindset prioritizing Israeli demands and priorities over the concerns of Palestinians and Arab guarantors like Egypt and Qatar, who seek stabilization and improvements in Palestinian lives. Israel's conditioning of essential aid, such as tents, on various undisclosed priorities further illustrates this approach.

International Legal Framework and Egyptian Commitments

Hussein Haridi, a former Assistant Foreign Minister of Egypt, clarifies Egypt's position. He states that Egypt would not accept Palestinians leaving Gaza in the manner Israel proposes. Egypt is committed to Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted on October 17th, which endorses a comprehensive peace plan for a ceasefire in Gaza. According to this resolution, "all crossings shall be opened for the Palestinians to move in and out of the Gaza Strip." Furthermore, Egypt is committed to operating crossings, including Rafa, in collaboration with the European Union and the Palestinian National Authority. Haridi recalls the 2005 agreement between the EU, Israelis, and Palestinians, which stationed European observers at Rafa and other crossings. Egypt is working with the EU on this plan, and the EU is reportedly ready to deploy observers.

The Trump Peace Plan and the Board of Peace

Haridi emphasizes that the operation of the Rafa crossing must align with the Trump Peace Plan, as outlined in Security Council Resolution 2803. Point number eight of this plan explicitly states that the crossing "must be open in both directions." The Israeli statement, proposing a one-way opening, directly contradicts this. Haridi attributes this Israeli maneuvering to a historical pattern observed since 1948 in the implementation of ceasefire agreements.

Mechanisms for Accountability

Regarding who will hold Israel accountable for non-implementation, Haridi points to the Board of Peace, chaired by President Trump. This board, possessing international legal personality, is mandated by the resolution to exercise strategic oversight on Gaza's future, including the deployment and function of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Once the ISF is deployed, all parties, including Israel, are expected to commit to the resolution.

Coordination and Communication

In the short term, Haridi indicates that coordination regarding the opening of the Rafa crossing primarily occurs with the Palestinians (National Palestinian Authority) and the American administration, as well as with Qatar as mediators. While direct coordination with Israeli authorities might occur until Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, the primary engagement is with the Palestinian Authority and the US.

Egyptian Position on Medical Evacuations

Regarding medical evacuations from Gaza, Egypt has historically allowed injured Palestinians to cross for urgent medical assistance, facilitating their passage to hospitals in Egypt, other Arab countries, and European nations. Haridi does not foresee Egypt preventing any Palestinian, injured or not, from passing through the Rafa crossing for medical reasons. However, he reiterates that the operation of the crossing must adhere to the Trump Peace Plan and its requirement for two-way traffic.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The announcement by Israel regarding the reopening of the Rafa crossing is highly contentious. While Israel claims it will reopen, its stipulation of a one-way exit for Palestinians, requiring Israeli approval, directly contradicts the US-brokered ceasefire agreement and international resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 2803 and the Trump Peace Plan, which mandate a two-way opening. Egypt has explicitly denied coordinating with Israel on these terms and insists on a reciprocal opening. Palestinians view this one-way proposal as a deliberate strategy to accelerate depopulation and exacerbate their already dire living conditions. International legal frameworks, as articulated by former Egyptian diplomat Hussein Haridi, support the opening of all crossings in both directions, with mechanisms like the Board of Peace and the International Stabilization Force intended to ensure compliance. The situation highlights a significant disconnect between Israel's stated intentions and the requirements of international agreements and the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian population in Gaza.