Rafah Crossing

The Rafah Gamble:

Reopening the Egypt-Gaza border now is a high security risk

By reopening Rafah now, Israel risks providing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with a logistical reset button. Opinion.

Egypt pushing for deployment of international force in Gaza

The Egyptian foreign minister expresses full support for the National Committee for the Management of the Gaza Strip and emphasizes the effort to base the ceasefire agreement on solid foundations.

UNRWA renewing operations in Gaza Strip

The UNRWA has reopened the Al-Bureij medical center in Deir al-Balah after months of closure.

ISA Director:

Rafah crossing using 'Palestine' stamp despite PMO denial

ISA chief David Zini confirmed that Gazans passing through the crossing are receiving a stamp from the PA despite Prime Minister Netanyahu's insistence that the PA will have no part in managing Gaza.

Priority for 'humanitarian cases' to exit Gaza via Rafah crossing

Israeli officials view the reopening of the Rafah crossing as an opportunity to enable voluntary emigration of Palestinian Arabs.

'Key humanitarian step'

US State Dept Welcomes reopening of Rafah Crossing

US State Department cites Gaza committee announcement, quoting officials who say the Rafah Crossing reopening will ease movement and humanitarian needs.

Rafah Crossing reopens, only 50 Gazans allowed into Gaza

The Rafah crossing will permit controlled entry and exit of residents of the Gaza Strip under strict IDF supervision.

Watch:

IDF completes Israeli inspection facility near Rafah Crossing

IDF forces complete establishment of a dedicated inspection compound near Rafah Crossing, aimed at enhancing security supervision and preventing the smuggling of weapons and unauthorized equipment.

First time since war

Rafah Crossing reopens today

Beginning this morning (Sunday), limited movement of Gaza residents will be permitted through the border with Egypt, under international supervision and remote Israeli screening.

Israel moves to phase B

Rafah Crossing to open on Sunday

Rafah crossing to open in coordination between Israel, Egypt, and EU delegation.

How the Rafah Crossing will operate as it reopens

Israel and Egypt have coordinated procedures for the crossing’s planned reopening in the coming days.

Hamas terrorists to exit Gaza without Israeli security checks

Rafah Crossing to open without Israeli personnel on site, allowing Hamas terrorists to exit freely.

Military correspondent:

Why is PM's Office complimenting Hamas?

Military correspondent Doron Kadosh claims Cabinet is acting like a rubber stamp on Rafah crossing, says he is troubled by what he describes as Israel granting Hamas a 'certificate of integrity.'

Ben Gvir’s call: Enough with the naïveté

During the Cabinet meeting, ministers voice strong opposition to opening the Rafah crossing and transferring control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority.

PMO:

'Rafah crossing to open after operation to recover Gvili's body'

Following the Security Cabinet meeting, the PMO clarifies: The Rafah crossing will not open until all efforts to recover the body of Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili have been exhausted.

Arab affairs reporter warns:

'Rafah Crossing will create Hamastan'

Channel 12 correspondent says allowing Egypt sole control over Gaza’s main gateway could entrench Hamas rule and turn the Strip into a permanent jihadist front.

Rafah Crossing

Witkoff hints: US, Israel coordinating on future steps

US envoy says talks were constructive as Washington and Jerusalem coordinate next steps on Phase 2 of Trump’s Gaza plan and broader regional issues

Anger in Israel at US special envoy Steve Witkoff

Israeli official claims: “Witkoff pushed to bring our major rival Turkey to the border. The clock is ticking backward toward a confrontation with Turkey."

Despite ceasefire violations

Report: Rafah Crossing to open soon

Rafah Crossing to open with European observers, Israel monitoring from afar, report says.

Trump envoys to visit Israel, press Netanyahu on Rafah opening

Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to arrive in Israel on Saturday and meet Netanyahu to discuss reopening the Rafah crossing and Gaza’s rehabilitation.

Bereaved father slams Netanyahu:

This is not what victory looks like

Danny Steinberg, father of fallen soldier Colonel Yehonatan Steinberg, demands Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keep his promises to the people, slams plan to move to 'second stage' of ceasefire with Hamas.

Will Rafah Crossing reopen? Israeli official: 'We'll discuss it'

Israel announced it will hold cabinet discussions next week on reopening the Rafah Crossing with Egypt, alongside efforts to determine the fate of the last Israeli hostage, Ron Gvili.

Report:

Israel agrees to establish a managing committee for Gaza

Senior Palestinian Authority and Egyptian officials are discussing implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and reopening the Rafah crossing in both directions.

Angelina Jolie visits Rafah crossing, meets volunteers

Actress Angelina Jolie visits the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, meeting Red Crescent volunteers. In the past she has criticized Israel, prompting a response from her father, actor Jon Voight.

Report:

Israel preparing to reopen Rafah crossing after US pressure

Kan 11 News reports that Israel is preparing for a possible reopening of the Rafah crossing after Netanyahu’s US visit.

Egypt denies agreement to open Rafah crossing

Senior Egyptian official says any opening of the Rafah crossing would require two-way movement of residents.

Rafah Crossing to reopen, allowing Gazans to exit to Egypt

Gaza residents to be allowed to exit Gaza into Egypt, subject to coordination and oversight.

Hamas threatens to delay deceased hostages' return

'Closing Rafah Crossing will delay transfer of additional deceased hostages,' Hamas threatens.

IDF eliminates Hamas official who oversaw arms smuggling

The IDF eliminated Muhammad al-‘Amour, who was responsible for the goods terminal at the Rafah Crossing, where hundreds of weapons and military equipment were smuggled into Gaza.

Report: Netanyahu blocking mobile homes from Gaza

Israel is still not authorizing mobile homes and engineering vehicles to enter Gaza despite footage appearing to show them being allowed through the Rafah crossing.

Despite Netanyahu's promise:

Palestinian Authority involved in control of Rafah Crossing

The Palestinian Authority is operating the Rafah Crossing between Israel and Gaza, alongside international bodies. 'The Prime Minister caved in.'

Rafah Crossing to open today

Crossing between Egypt and Gaza to open today instead of Sunday after the opening was moved up two days.

IDF Chief of Staff:

'Gazans can go to Egypt, but they can't return to Gaza'

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Iran is deterred, 'afraid, and understands that it is not protected.'

With Israel's consent:

Palestinian Authority to run Rafah Crossing, report says

Prime Minister's Office insists Palestinian Authority involvement relegated to passport stamps only, says crossing is being managed by Gazans not affiliated with Hamas.

Egypt, Israel, in disagreement over Rafah Crossing

Egypt attempting to advance ceasefire-prisoner swap deal similar to two-month ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

Egypt to Abbas:

You can enter Gaza - if Israel agrees

Egypt tries to improve Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas' image in Gaza - but Israel refuses to cooperate.

Via Rafah Crossing:

Gazan journalist who invaded Israel, escapes to Egypt

Muthana al-Najjar, who filmed the abduction of Shiri Bibas and her sons, flees to Egypt via the Rafah crossing before Israel arrests him.

Report:

US, Israel and PA secretly discussed Rafah crossing

Axios reports that the US, Israel and the Palestinian Authority held a secret meeting last week to discuss the reopening of the Rafah crossing as part of a hostage and ceasefire deal.

Report: Egypt to present detailed vision for Philadelphi Corridor

Egypt open to smuggling-prevention obstacle on Gazan side of Rafah Crossing, worried escalation in fighting could topple negotiations, report says.

Egypt does not agree to open the Rafah crossing

Senior Egyptian official says Egypt is adamant that the IDF must fully withdraw from the Palestinian Arab side of the Rafah crossing.

Watch:

IDF soldier completes Talmud tractate at the Rafah Crossing

Yosef Haim Simhi, a student of Yeshivat Hakotel, celebrated the completion of Tractate Bava Metzia as part of the Daf Yomi at the Rafah Crossing with his fellow platoon members.

Hamas charges:

'Israel caused the Rafah crossing to go out of use'

Hamas accuses IDF of deliberately demolishing structures at the Rafah crossing in a way that cuts off the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

American pressure to open the Rafah crossing

The US is pressuring Egypt to allow the passage of a thousand humanitarian aid trucks through the Rafah crossing despite its opposition to Israeli control of the crossing.

Hamas: No agreement on Rafah Crossing unless Israel withdraws

Hamas demanding Israel withdraw completely from Rafah Crossing, Egyptian source says talks aimed at 'pacifying Palestinians.'

764 trucks enter Gaza through Rafah Crossing

1,858 humanitarian aid trucks were inspected and transferred into the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom and Erez West Crossings over the last week.

Israel not ruling out 'Palestinian' control of Rafah

Israel and Egypt to open Rafah Crossing in order to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza; Israeli security delegation to attend talks in Cairo.

US, Egypt and Israel to discuss Rafah crossing

White House to hold a trilateral meeting in Cairo next week to discuss the reopening of the Rafah crossing, reports Axios.

PA:

'We're willing to operate the Rafah crossing'

Palestinian Authority announces its willingness to operate the Rafah crossing in accordance with the Agreement on Movement and Access which was signed with Israel in 2005.

Likud MKs demand:

'Netanyahu, don't give up control of Rafah Crossing'

12 Likud ministers and MKs write to PM criticizing plan to turn over control of the Rafah Crossing to local Gazans. 'There is no victory without control.'

Egyptian soldier killed in shootout with IDF

Egyptian soldiers fire on IDF troops in area of Rafah Crossing as tensions over Rafah operation escalate.

Israel discussing Rafah crossing with the US and Egypt

Israel is discussing the issue of operating the border crossing, which will probably be operated by Palestinian Arabs in the first stage.

Egypt must pay a price for its sponsorship of Hamas

It has become clear that Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi has been playing Israel for a fool. One point to ponder: Israel’s takeover of the border zone from Hamas will necessarily involve the loss of massive profits for the Organi Group and its stakeholders—Sheikh al-Organi and General el-Sisi. Op-ed.

In conversation with Biden:

Egyptian President agrees to release Gaza aid via Israel

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi agrees to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza to enter via Kerem Shalom crossing instead of Rafah crossing.

IDF Spokesman reveals:

The man who is a humanitarian worker by day, terrorist by night

IDF Arabic Language Spokesman Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee publishes proof that Rafah Crossing worker was also a member of Hamas's military wing.

Will the EU control Rafah Crossing?

A European Union organization managed Rafah crossing before the 2007 Hamas takeover. Now the Biden administration wants to bring it back.

Footage from Rafah Crossing:

Nutella, soft drinks, and snacks among 'humanitarian aid'

An IDF soldier who documented pallets of food en route to Gazans found luxuries that even well-off Israelis would not allow themselves to purchase.

Israeli delegation meets with Egyptian officials in Cairo

The meetings discussed several issues, including IDF operations in Rafah, and closing the Gazan side of the Rafah Crossing, which led to an Egyptian decision to stop transferring aid to Gaza as long as the crossing is closed.

Foreign Minister Katz:

'Key to preventing humanitarian crisis in Gaza in Egypt's hands'

Israeli Foreign Minister says he is discussing need to pressure Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing with his British, German, and Italian counterparts.

Will Rafah operation harm ties with Egypt? Reports are conflicted

Egyptian source claims 'no plans to suspend ties' with Israel, as other reports say Cairo is weighing recalling ambassador from Tel Aviv.

Israel's proposal to the PA for the Rafah crossing

The Palestinian Authority rejected an Israeli proposal to manage the Rafah crossing, among other reasons, due to the imposition of conditions and the freezing of funds by Minister Bezalel Smotrich.