Israeli officials are considering transferring control of Gaza’s Rafah border crossing to the European Union and Palestinian authorities, according to a report. Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to Israel relinquishing control, officials are engaged in discussions with the EU and US regarding the proposal.
They believe that such a move could signal a potential resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, facilitating increased aid delivery to the devastated Palestinian territory. These negotiations highlight the EU’s renewed diplomatic efforts to alleviate pressure on Palestinian civilians and contribute to conflict resolution. Though the EU has long advocated for a ceasefire, its influence over Israel, focused on dismantling Hamas, has been limited. Brussels previously assisted in managing the crossing before Hamas seized control in 2007.
Netanyahu has asserted that under any circumstances, Hamas will not be allowed to regain control of the border. His government insists on maintaining Israeli troops in the vicinity of the crossing and along the Gaza-Egypt border. According to the report, citing an Israeli official, Netanyahu has clashed with military leaders in the past over the handling of the crossing, with these officials favoring its reopening more than Netanyahu, who ultimately holds the final decision.
The crossing linking Gaza and Egypt has become a key source of tension in recent months between Israel and Palestinian authorities, as well as the Egyptian government. It was the main route for aid going into Gaza before Israeli forces took it over from Hamas in early May, since when it’s been shut. The US, United Nations and Arab states have urged Israel to reopen it to enable more supplies of food, fuel and medicine to get to Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
According to Bloomberg, citing sources, Israeli authorities are considering allowing a combined contingent of security-cleared Palestinian officials and the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Rafah, known as EUBAM, to have that role. It’s, however, unclear how close the sides are to finalising an agreement. A spokesperson for the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell Fontelles, said the bloc’s already made clear it wants EUBAM to return to the crossing, though only when necessary arrangements allow it. For that to happen, fighting needs to stop and the issue of who governs Gaza must be solved, the spokesperson said.
Netanyahu is due to meet US President Joe Biden in Washington next week and address Congress, in what will be his first trip outside of Israel since the war began in October.
