The Occupation: Rafah Crossing to Open Next Sunday for Limited Movement of People Only, in Both Directions

An agreement has been reached to reopen the Rafah border crossing starting next Sunday.

The coordinator of the occupation government's activities announced on Friday that an agreement had been reached to reopen the Rafah border crossing starting next Sunday, for limited movement targeting people only and in both directions.

The coordinator clarified that entry and exit operations through the crossing would take place within a precise coordination mechanism with the Egyptian side, but they would remain subject to direct security approval from the occupation authorities. A European party will undertake the field supervision tasks for these arrangements, ensuring the implementation of the rules of engagement and control agreed upon by the concerned parties.

In the context of the new procedures, the coordinator of the occupation government's activities affirmed that Palestinian residents would be allowed to return from the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Gaza Strip, especially those who left during the war. However, this return will not be without restrictions; the decision stipulated that all returnees would undergo strict "Israeli scrutiny" to verify their security backgrounds. This scrutiny, according to the occupation authorities' claim, aims to prevent the entry of any elements that could pose a threat to security, making the crossing an advanced control point subject to the military will of the occupier.

This step comes amid diplomatic pressure led by America, as the administration of US President Donald Trump is pushing for "logistical solutions" to alleviate humanitarian tensions without compromising the occupation's security superiority.

Trump believes that controlling Gaza's borders and crossings under international (European) supervision is part of a broader deal aimed at reducing the influence of factions and enhancing control over the movement of individuals. The recent Egyptian-American coordination was crucial in securing this decision, which is a test of the ability of these parties to manage the security file away from the de facto authority in the Strip.