Israel allows only Palestinians to leave through Gaza crossing to Egypt

Israel has announced plans to open the Rafah border crossing, allowing Palestinians to leave Gaza for Egypt. The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated that the process would be carried out in cooperation with Egypt, following Israeli security approval and under the supervision of the European Union mission.

According to COGAT, this procedure will mirror the arrangements used in January during a cease-fire period. The opening will be one-way, permitting Palestinians to exit Gaza but not return, and will involve oversight from the European Union, alongside Egypt and Israel.

However, Egypt refuted claims of coordination with Israel regarding the crossing's reopening. The country's state information service emphasized that the October cease-fire required the Rafah crossing to operate in both directions. Tens of thousands of Gazan refugees are currently in Egypt.

Despite prior agreements, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the crossing would remain closed until further notice. Israeli spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian noted that reopening hinges on Hamas returning the last two bodies of missing hostages. One body was returned by Hamas on Wednesday morning, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad reported discovering another body later that day, which Hamas plans to transfer to Israel through the Red Cross.

An Egyptian official indicated that if the crossing reopens, it would function in both directions, in line with the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israel closed the Rafah crossing following its invasion in May 2024, and disagreements with Egypt over border operations have left numerous sick and injured Palestinians in Gaza without access to medical care.

Author: Benjamin Carter