Report: Israel Seeks to Expel Palestinians by Allowing More to Leave Gaza Than Enter via Rafah Crossing
Gaza (QNN)- Israel reportedly plans to restrict the number of Palestinians entering the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, ensuring that more people are allowed out than in, a long-standing objective aimed at expelling Palestinians from their land.
The head of a transitional Palestinian committee backed by the US to temporarily administer Gaza, Ali Shaath, announced on Thursday that the Rafah Border Crossing would open next week after the US officially announced the transition to phase two of Trump’s ceasefire plan and the formation of the so-called “Board of Peace”, the “founding executive board” for Gaza which could rival the United Nations and mediate in other global conflicts.
In response, Netanyahu is set to convene the security cabinet on Sunday to discuss the matter.
For Palestinians in Gaza, the Rafah crossing had long been the only connection to the outside world.
Israeli forces occupied the Palestinian side of the crossing in May 2024, destroying its buildings, preventing travel and causing a severe humanitarian crisis, especially for patients. They deployed soldiers in a military buffer zone all across the Philadelphi Corridor, where they remain today.
The first phase of Trump’s Gaza ceasefire 20-point plan, which took effect in October to end Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, had called for Israel to let humanitarian aid into the territory and open “the Rafah crossing.” However, Israel has violated the agreement and continued to close it along with killing hundreds of civilians and blocking much-needed aid.
Three sources briefed on the matter told Reuters it was still not clear how Israel planned to enforce limits on the number of Palestinians entering Gaza and returning home from Egypt, or what ratio of exits to entries it aimed to achieve.
The three sources said that Israel also wants to establish a military checkpoint inside Gaza near the border, through which all Palestinians entering or leaving would be required to pass and be subjected to Israeli security checks.
Two other sources, which also confirmed plans for an Israeli military checkpoint in Gaza, said that it was not clear how individuals would be dealt with if they were blocked by Israel from passing through its checkpoint, particularly those entering from Egypt.
Israeli officials have repeatedly called for the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the occupation of the enclave, and the construction of illegal settlements. Palestinians fear that such plans are intended to expel them permanently, or that those who leave even temporarily could be prevented from returning.
