Israel is seeking to limit the number of Palestinians entering Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, aiming to allow more people to exit the territory than enter, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The potential restriction comes ahead of the expected reopening of the crossing next week.
Rafah Crossing Reopening
Ali Shaath, head of a transitional Palestinian committee backed by the US to administer Gaza, announced Thursday that the Rafah Border Crossing – the primary route in and out of Gaza for its more than 2 million residents – would reopen next week. Israel has not yet approved or confirmed the move, with a cabinet discussion scheduled for Sunday.
The reopening is contingent on Hamas returning all hostages currently held in Gaza, as outlined in a US-brokered ceasefire plan. Hamas continues to hold the body of Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, who was killed during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel that initiated the current conflict.
The Rafah Crossing was closed by Egypt in May 2024 after Israeli forces took control of the Gaza side. It briefly reopened during a short-lived ceasefire in early 2025. Israel has publicly stated it will only allow outbound traffic from Gaza until Gvili’s remains are returned. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to discuss Gvili’s return and the Rafah Crossing reopening during Sunday’s cabinet meeting.
The sources, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, indicated that the specifics of enforcing limits on Palestinian entries into Gaza, and the desired ratio of exits to entries, remain unclear.
The Rafah crossing is anticipated to be staffed by Palestinians affiliated with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority and monitored by EU personnel, mirroring the arrangements during the early 2025 ceasefire.
Netanyahu’s office has not yet issued a comment on the matter, and the military has deferred questions to the government.
In addition to controlling entry numbers, Israel also intends to establish a military checkpoint inside Gaza near the border. All Palestinians entering or leaving Gaza would be required to pass through this checkpoint and undergo Israeli security checks, according to the three sources. Two additional sources confirmed the plan to establish a military checkpoint.
The US Embassy in Israel has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding whether Washington supports limiting Palestinian entries into Gaza or establishing the security checkpoint.
The sources noted uncertainty regarding how individuals blocked by the Israeli military from passing through the checkpoint would be handled, particularly those entering from Egypt.
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