Nadene Goldfoot
Israel is under immense pressure, from the U.S. and Arab countries, to reopen the Rafah crossing to allow around 65,000 Gazans who fled during the war to return.
Israeli Control: Israeli forces seized control of the Palestinian side of the crossing in May 2024 and maintained an operational presence there, effectively closing it to regular traffic.
- Recent Announcements & Closures: Israel announced in early December 2025 that it intended to reopen the crossing for Palestinians wishing to leave Gaza, reportedly due to pressure from the U.S.. However, shortly after this announcement, Israel closed the crossing again indefinitely in mid-October 2025, citing delays in Hamas returning the remains of hostages.
- Egyptian Position: Egypt has insisted the crossing should be operated by Palestinian authorities and the EU mission, and has rejected Israeli proposals to coordinate its reopening under a "one-way traffic" plan (only allowing people to exit Gaza). Egypt is committed to allowing movement in both directions.
- Egypt, meanwhile, says it wants the crossing immediately opened in both directions, so Palestinians in Egypt can enter Gaza. That’s a position rooted in "Egypt’s vehement opposition to Palestinian refugees permanently resettling in the country." Egypt is overpopulated as it is.
- Humanitarian Impact: The closures have severely impacted the flow of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of thousands of sick and wounded Palestinians needing medical care outside of Gaza. Aid organizations state that the volume of aid entering is a fraction of what is needed to address the severe crisis and famine conditions in Gaza.
Saudi news outlet Al-Sharq reported Sunday that Egypt informed the Palestinian Authority (PA) that Israel would soon approve the reopening of Rafah in both directions.
As I see it, on October 7, 2023's invasion into Israel of the maddened crazy Hamas killers, acting as wildmen on drugs out for blood has curdled the feelings of Israelis left alive and all that has affected their thoughts about Rafah Crossing. As of January 2026, the Israeli government officially denies that the PA is in control and maintains that any internal management by non-Hamas Gazans is vetted and supervised by the IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
There is no trust for PA after that shock. One hostage hasyet to be returned and must do so to move things forward to thenext stage. Israel expecting this to be followed to the T is nothing compared to the brutality seen in the death of their families.
Palestinians pour into Egypt after militants blow hole in border barrier
Supposedly, When Palestinians cross into Egypt via the Rafah border, their activities are generally centered on seeking safety, medical care, education, or family reunification. The crossing is often the only exit from Gaza not controlled by Israel, and the process is usually arduous and expensive, involving significant wait times and permits.
Yes, Egypt has its own border control procedures and screens everyone entering its territory from the Rafah Crossing. The Rafah Crossing is currently closed but is expected to reopen soon, with new operational procedures involving both Egyptian and international monitoring forces.
Palestinians paying to exit Gaza is not a new phenomenon. In recent years, as Israel and Egypt have imposed strict border controls to contain Hamas' rule in Gaza, the Hala travel company offered regular border fee services on Egypt's border.
Resource:
israelAM
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