The Rafah border crossing cannot resume operations unless Israel relinquishes control and returns it to the Palestinians, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated on Monday. Last month, Israel took control of Gaza’s entire border with Egypt, including the crossing, during its offensive against Hamas in Rafah. This crossing serves as the only connection to the outside world for the 2.3 million residents in the Israeli-besieged territory.
“It is difficult for the Rafah crossing to continue operating without a Palestinian administration,” Shoukry said at a press conference with his Spanish counterpart in Madrid. Shoukry emphasised that the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty remains “a solid base for security and stability in the region, and everyone must act responsibly to preserve this important treaty.”
His remarks come amid escalating tensions following the death of an Egyptian soldier last week during an exchange of fire with Israeli forces, who, according to Egyptian security sources, crossed a boundary line while pursuing and killing several Palestinians.
Diplomatic Efforts and Security Concerns
Two Egyptian security sources indicated that a Sunday meeting involving U.S., Egyptian, and Israeli officials was positive, despite no agreement on reopening the crossing. Egypt’s delegation suggested the possibility of European monitors at the border to oversee its operation by Palestinian authorities if Palestinian authorities agreed to resume control.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Sunday that Israeli forces were attempting to destroy tunnels between Gaza and Egypt used by Hamas to smuggle weapons or possibly to escape the conflict. Egypt has denied the existence of such tunnels.
Under their peace treaty, Egypt and Israel have closely cooperated on security matters around the borders of Israel, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and Gaza. They jointly maintained a blockade of Gaza after Hamas took control of the territory in 2007.
Shoukry also urged Hamas and Israel to accept the current ceasefire proposal for Gaza presented by U.S. President Joe Biden, noting that Hamas’ initial comments were positive. “We are now waiting for the Israeli response,” he said.
An aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel had accepted the framework deal for ending the Gaza war but described it as flawed and requiring much more work.
(With information from Reuters)
