Egypt agrees to Israeli control of Gaza Border in exchange for Rafah Crossing reopening
Cairo (Quds News Network)- Egypt and Israel have reportedly reached an agreement that would allow an Israeli security presence along the Egyptian-Gaza border in return for reopening the Rafah crossing and having it operated by Palestinians. This understanding was disclosed by three senior Egyptian sources to Middle East Eye.
The deal, which revolves around the Philadelphi Corridor, a demilitarized buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, presents two options. Israel’s preference is to maintain its military presence on the ground, citing concerns of alleged potential arms smuggling from Sinai into Gaza. The second option involves replacing troops with an underground barrier equipped with advanced electronic sensors to monitor and prevent cross-border smuggling.
Egypt, initially resistant to the idea due to concerns about sovereignty and national security, has shown flexibility in negotiations. However, Cairo has made it clear that the Rafah crossing, the only gateway to Gaza that does not border Israel, is a red line. Egypt insists that Israel must exit the facility and transfer its control to a Palestinian authority. The potential operators include factions such as Hamas or other Palestinian entities, though Israel is unlikely to agree to Hamas running the crossing again.
The ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have significantly impacted the situation. The closure of the Rafah crossing, after Israel seized control in May, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict’s onset. Local authorities in Gaza reported that the closure contributed to the deaths of 1,000 Palestinians who could have been saved by humanitarian aid or evacuation.
Egypt’s willingness to negotiate on border security has been influenced by considerable Israeli and American pressure. The diplomatic sources highlighted that Egypt imports a substantial amount of energy from Israel and is currently facing an electricity crisis, making it vulnerable to external pressures.
