Gaza’s Rafah Crossing Reopens Under Enhanced Israeli Oversight Amidst Political Vacuum
The vital Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is set to reopen this Sunday for limited movement of individuals, an announcement by the Israeli military confirmed. The decision, coordinated with Egyptian authorities and contingent on Israeli security clearances, comes with a new layer of stringent security protocols that significantly expand Israel’s operational control over the crossing and notably excludes the Palestinian Authority (PA) from its previous role.
Limited Reopening, Strict Conditions
Beginning this Sunday, the Rafah crossing will facilitate both entry into and exit from the Gaza Strip, exclusively for individuals. The Israeli military statement specified that the return of Palestinians from Egypt to Gaza would be restricted to those who had exited during the recent conflict, with all movements subject to prior coordination with the Egyptian side. The process will reportedly operate under the supervision of a European Union mission, mirroring a mechanism implemented previously.
Expanded Israeli Security Control
A key development in the reopening is the implementation of new, intensified Israeli security measures. Beyond initial checks conducted at the crossing itself, individuals will undergo additional security screenings along an Israeli-controlled axis. Returnees to Gaza, upon initial entry, will be directed to a designated Israeli-controlled location outside the immediate crossing area for further security verification and identity checks. This heightened scrutiny has raised concerns about potential detentions, reminiscent of procedures at military checkpoints.
Furthermore, reports indicate that Israeli authorities are deploying a sophisticated new surveillance system, featuring advanced cameras, on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. This technology is intended to enable remote monitoring of all activities within the crossing, further solidifying Israeli oversight.
Palestinian Authority’s Excluded Role
The announcement conspicuously omits any mention of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which had previously managed the Palestinian section of the Rafah crossing during its last operational period from late January to early March of the preceding year. This exclusion signals a significant shift in the administrative and security landscape of the crossing, effectively bypassing the PA and centralizing control under Israeli and Egyptian coordination.
Protocols for Humanitarian Passage
Specific protocols have been outlined for the passage of individuals, particularly patients requiring medical treatment outside Gaza. The World Health Organization (WHO) will submit lists of patients to the Israeli side, with their exit contingent upon receiving security approvals. Patients and their companions are required to assemble in Khan Younis before being transported by bus to the Rafah crossing. Similarly, for other returnees, lists of individuals must be submitted to Israeli authorities in advance, with entry granted only to those who receive explicit permission. After completing the initial entry procedures, all returnees will then proceed to the newly established Israeli checkpoint for final processing.
