Khaberni - The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a decision early on Monday about the partial opening of the Rafah crossing, as part of the implementation of the American plan in Gaza.
This decision comes after the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump about the formation of a Peace Council and the naming of a technocrat committee to manage the Palestinian sector.
Here are 5 questions about Netanyahu's decision regarding the Rafah crossing:
1- What is the scope of the crossing as per the decision?
Netanyahu's office stated that it has decided to approve the limited opening of the Rafah crossing for the passage of individuals only under "full Israeli control."
That means no permission will be granted for the entry of health necessities, foodstuffs, and reconstruction materials.
2- What are Netanyahu's justifications for restricting the operation of the crossing?
Netanyahu's office stated in a release that "the opening of the crossing was conditional on the return of all hostages, living and deceased, and Hamas exerting its utmost effort to return them."
According to the office's statement, the Rafah crossing will be opened as soon as the search operation for the corpse of the First Sergeant Rani Gwili is completed and returned in accordance with the agreement with Washington.
3- Is there a U.S. stance?
The Israeli Channel 12 reported from a U.S. official that it is expected that the Rafah crossing will be opened by the end of the current week.
It is expected that today, the High Representative for the Gaza Peace Council, Nikolai Mladenov, will arrive in Israel to discuss the opening of the crossing.
4- And what about Egypt?
Anadolu Agency reported that Youssef Hussein, the Deputy President of Palestine, discussed yesterday Sunday in Ramallah with the Egyptian Ambassador to Palestine, Ihab Suleiman, the joint coordination regarding the Rafah crossing, and the Egyptian role in implementing U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza.
The Cairo News Channel reported that Egypt continues to coordinate with Qatar and the United States to intensify efforts to achieve a broader calm in Gaza with the permanent opening of crossings for the entry of food, medicine, and fuel to the residents of the sector.
Earlier, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty emphasized the necessity of opening the Rafah crossing in both directions and achieving the Israeli withdrawal from the sector.
5- How central is the Rafah crossing for the residents of the Gaza Strip?
The Rafah land crossing lies at the extreme southern end of the Gaza Strip in Rafah Governorate, between the city of Rafah and Al-Sofia Hook, and on the western side of Palestine between the Palestinian-Egyptian borders.
It is the only outlet for the residents of Gaza to the world, and a vital corridor for goods and people.
However, Israel forcefully imposes a closure of the crossing from the Palestinian side, to punish the residents of Gaza.
Rafah crossing has been targeted multiple times by Israeli bombardment during the genocide war in Gaza that lasted two years since October 2023, targeting the buffer zone between the Egyptian and Palestinian gates of the crossing, and then the Israeli army completely occupied the Palestinian side of the crossing after invading the city of Rafah.
