Rafah Crossing Management: Israel Reveals Key Features of Upcoming Operational Plan

23rd January 2025

2 minutes read

Rafah Crossing Management: Israel Reveals Key Features of Upcoming Operational Plan

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office unveiled on Wednesday the main features of a prospective plan for operating the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

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Benjamin Netanyahu’s office specified that the crossing will be managed by Palestinian civilian employees unaffiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, under European supervision.

It denied reports suggesting that Israel had agreed to the return of the Palestinian Authority to control the crossing, which is considered Gaza’s only gateway to the outside world.

Last May, the Israeli army took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing, carrying out extensive demolitions, and it has remained closed since.

The Palestinian Authority seeks to resume management of the crossing under its 2005 agreement with Israel, which allows for the presence of European observers.

However, Netanyahu’s office dismissed reports of such an arrangement.

It stated: “These reports are inaccurate, despite the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to create a false impression that it controls the crossing.”

It further noted that under the ceasefire agreement: “Israeli army forces are stationed around the crossing, and no movement can occur without supervision, oversight, and prior approval from the Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service.”

Nevertheless, Israel clarified the agreed-upon arrangements.

It stated: “The technical administration of the crossing is carried out by Gaza residents unaffiliated with Hamas, who manage civil services in the territory, such as electricity, water, and sanitation, since the war began. These individuals are vetted by the Shin Bet, and their work is overseen by the European Border Assistance Mission.”

It added: “The only practical involvement of the Palestinian Authority is stamping passports, which, under the existing international arrangement, is the sole means by which Gaza residents can exit the territory or receive visitors from other countries.”

It concluded: “This measure applies to the first phase of the agreement and will be reassessed in the future.”

The European Union has expressed its readiness to redeploy its observers to the Rafah crossing under the 2005 agreement, provided it gains the approval of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Egypt.