Israeli occupation authorities revealed today, Sunday, a plan to partially resume operations at the Rafah border crossing, which separates the Gaza Strip from the Arab Republic of Egypt. This decision is scheduled to take effect starting next Wednesday, March 18, following a period of complete closure imposed by the occupation in conjunction with the recent military escalation against Iran.
Official sources affiliated with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Occupied Territories stated that the crossing would be designated for limited movement of individuals in both directions. The statement issued by the authority clarified that this step came after a comprehensive review of field conditions and security assessments conducted by the leadership of the occupation army, which currently controls large areas of the Strip, exceeding half of its total area.
Regarding the implementation mechanism, sources confirmed that the management of the crossing would be carried out according to prior coordination protocols with the Egyptian authorities and under direct supervision from the European Union mission. Additional inspection and screening procedures will also be imposed in areas under direct Israeli military control, to ensure what the occupation described as strict security standards during the partial operation period.
On the political front, this announcement coincides with the arrival of a leading delegation from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. The delegation aims, through this visit, to hold a series of discussions with Egyptian officials, complementing previous meetings held with Peace Council Coordinator Nikolay Mladenov, to discuss truce files and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Discussions in Cairo focused on the necessity of finding sustainable mechanisms to solidify the ceasefire agreement and ensure it does not collapse in light of repeated field violations. The movement's delegation stressed the need for the occupation to fully adhere to the terms of the truce and cease all forms of aggression, warning that continued military provocations would inevitably undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation.
It is worth noting that the Rafah crossing represents the only lifeline for the residents of the Gaza Strip to the outside world, away from the crossings directly controlled by the occupation. The crossing had witnessed a long closure, interspersed with a brief partial opening in early February, before being shut down again following the joint attack launched by Israel and the United States against Iranian territory on the twenty-eighth of the same month.
The operation of the crossing will be subject to prior coordination mechanisms with the Egyptian side, and under the supervision of the European Union mission, with additional scrutiny procedures.
שתף את דעתך
Occupation authorities decide to partially reopen Rafah crossing next Wednesday