Egypt will open the Rafiah crossing between Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula even if it fails in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Hamas leaders announced Tuesday. IDF officials confirmed Wednesday that they believe Egypt plans to open the crossing.

The Rafiah crossing has been closed since Hamas took over Gaza in 2007 and European observers fled, leaving the crossing lacking the security controls required according to agreements made prior to Israel’s 2005 “Disengagement” from Gaza. Egypt has opened the crossing occasionally to allow groups to pass between Egypt and Gaza. In addition, Egypt allowed its border with Gaza to remain open for several days earlier in the year after Hamas destroyed large parts of the security barrier separating Gaza from Sinai.