Israel to reopen Rafah crossing once search for last remaining captive’s body is completed

Key Concepts

• Rafah Crossing
• Israeli Oversight
• US-brokered Ceasefire
• Palestinian State
• Board of Peace
• Disaster Capitalism
• Humanitarian Aid Restrictions
• Gaza Reconstruction
• Client State

Rafah Crossing Reopening: Israeli Conditions and Underlying Intentions

Israel has announced its intention to reopen Gaza's southern Rafah crossing, which borders Egypt, once the search for the body of the last Israeli captive held in Gaza is completed. This reopening was initially scheduled for this week as part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement. However, the statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office specifies that the border will reopen "under full Israeli oversight" and "for the movement of people only."

Independent journalist Anthony Loenstein, author of "The Palestine Laboratory" (a book on the Israeli arms and surveillance industry), expressed skepticism regarding the practical impact of this limited opening. He noted that the crossing has been closed for "nearly 2 years." Loenstein revealed that, according to less public Israeli media reports, the true aim of reopening the crossing is "to allow many Palestinians to leave and not so many to come back." He highlighted that "huge amounts of Palestinians" have been stuck in Egypt for "two plus years after Israel's genocide," many of whom wish to return to "help rebuild or see their families." However, Israel's long-term goal, as interpreted by Loenstein, is for these Palestinians to leave permanently for other countries like Egypt or Somaliland, rather than returning to Gaza.

Phase Two Ceasefire, Gaza Reconstruction, and the "Board of Peace"

Phase two of the ceasefire agreement includes provisions for the beginning of Gaza's reconstruction. The discussion raised concerns about how reconstruction can proceed if Palestinians are not allowed to return, especially given that the long-term plan also includes the "eventual creation of a Palestinian state." The question was posed whether oversight bodies, such as the "Board of Peace," would intervene to ensure two-way movement through the border.

Loenstein expressed deep skepticism about the "Board of Peace," noting it is "overseen by Trump," whom he described as having a "deep loathing of Palestinians" and being "deeply racist towards them." He argued that the ultimate goal of Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as presented in Davos, is not to genuinely help Palestinians in the long term, despite claims of providing "jobs, opportunities, and housing." Loenstein drew a parallel to Haiti, a "US client state," where "huge industrial parks," "low-cost housing," and "low-cost production for clothes" for American markets have been established. He fears a similar model for Gaza, envisioning "huge amounts of Palestinians living in particularly low quality housing for low-paying jobs." This, he argued, aligns with the concept of "disaster capitalism," where "people making money from misery." Loenstein suggested Israel's ultimate aim is to build "high-rise skyscrapers for tourism on the bones of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians."

Humanitarian Aid Crisis and the Need for International Pressure

The transcript highlighted the dire living conditions in Gaza, with many Palestinians in "substandard housing" and living in tents that have not withstood "2 years of this weather." Given Netanyahu's office's explicit statement that the Rafah opening is "for the passage of people only," concerns were raised about the fate of humanitarian aid stuck on the other side.

Loenstein asserted that increased international aid will only enter Gaza "if the international community pressures Israel." He criticized the international community, particularly Europe for being "usually feckless" and the US for having "no interest... in actually allowing Palestinian lives to be better." He underscored the current crisis in Gaza, which is in the "middle of winter," experiencing "freezing cold," with "huge amounts of people living in tents" and "no rebuilding." Loenstein pointed out that Israel "still controls close to 60% of Gaza" and continues "killing Palestinians every single day." He also detailed how Israel is "imposing massive restrictions on international aid organizations" like MSF, forcing many to "potentially leave Gaza" due to "ridiculous requirements." Loenstein concluded by emphasizing that "this is what international pressure must look like," expressing concern about its potential source, as he believes it will not come from European or American powers.

Conclusion

The discussion paints a grim picture of the Rafah crossing's reopening, suggesting it is less about humanitarian relief or genuine reconstruction and more about facilitating a demographic shift by encouraging Palestinians to leave Gaza permanently. The skepticism extends to the proposed "Board of Peace" and the broader US-led initiatives, which are viewed as potentially exploitative under the guise of "disaster capitalism." The critical takeaway is the urgent need for robust international pressure to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and to challenge Israel's restrictive policies, as current efforts by major international actors are perceived as insufficient or counterproductive to Palestinian well-being and future statehood.