Five key facts about Gaza's Rafah border crossing

The Rafah border crossing connecting the Gaza Strip to Egypt has remained largely inactive, despite international pressure and the humanitarian urgency in the region. Its reopening has been a key element of the truce plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump for the Palestinian territories.

1. Vital Lifeline for Aid

Rafah serves as a critical route for humanitarian workers and for trucks delivering essential supplies such as food, fuel, and other aid to Gaza, a territory suffering from chronic electricity shortages.

2. Main Exit Point for Palestinians

Historically, the crossing has been the primary way for Palestinians to leave Gaza. Since the Israeli blockade began in 2007, it has functioned as one of the few gateways out of the territory.

3. Shifting Control

From 2005 to 2007, the Palestinian Authority managed Rafah, but after Hamas took control of Gaza, it became a symbol of the militant group's authority. On May 7, 2024, Israel assumed control of the Palestinian side, citing concerns over alleged arms smuggling and misuse of the crossing.

4. Temporary Reopenings

The crossing briefly reopened during a short ceasefire in January 2025, allowing some people to exit Gaza and enabling limited truck deliveries. Subsequent ceasefire plans in October 2025 suggested reopening, but Israeli authorities delayed implementation due to unresolved issues with hostages and coordination with Egypt.

5. Current Aid and Access Situation

Today, international aid continues to enter Gaza mainly via the Kerem Shalom crossing, with a smaller portion coming through Kissufim. Trucks typically move from Rafah to Israeli inspection points before entering Gaza. The agreement under Trump's plan allows for 600 trucks daily, though current deliveries are below this level.

Other crossings, including Erez (Beit Hanoun) between Gaza and Israel, remain closed after damage sustained during attacks in October 2023, with no confirmed reopening date.

Analysis: Rafah Crossing Remains a Critical Bottleneck

From my perspective, the continued inactivity at the Rafah border crossing underscores the fragile nature of humanitarian access in Gaza. Despite repeated international calls and frameworks like the truce plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump, the crossing remains largely closed, limiting essential aid deliveries and civilian movement.

Rafah is not just a checkpoint; it is a lifeline. Its closure forces aid to rely on alternative routes such as Kerem Shalom and Kissufim, which cannot match Rafah’s capacity. This limitation directly affects food, fuel, and medical supply flows, exacerbating the already critical electricity and resource shortages in Gaza.

The shifting control of the crossing—from the Palestinian Authority to Hamas, and now partial oversight by Israel—illustrates how political dynamics directly impact humanitarian outcomes. Temporary reopenings during ceasefires provide only brief relief, highlighting the urgent need for a sustained and reliable operational framework.

In conclusion, the Rafah crossing remains central to both humanitarian aid and civilian mobility. Without clear agreements and consistent implementation, the gap between planned and actual aid deliveries will continue, perpetuating the region’s humanitarian crisis.

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• Five things to know about Gaza's Rafah border crossing