Israel Intends to Ban Palestinian Authority From Rafah Crossing Role

Discussions held last Sunday among US, Egyptian, and Israeli officials regarding the reopening of the Rafah crossing yielded no progress, according to four US and Israeli officials. The Israeli side declined to entertain any involvement of the Palestinian Authority in the operation of this strategically significant site, as reported by Axios.

The Biden administration conditioned that the border crossing would open to prevent weapons “smuggling” by Hamas into the Strip from Egypt, and maintain peace between “Israel” and Egypt.

US officials suggest that reopening the Rafah crossing could serve as an initial move in a broader “post-war strategy” aimed at stabilizing and reconstructing Gaza.

The meeting in Cairo was convened following a phone conversation two weeks ago between President Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Aid truck passage 

During the call, el-Sisi agreed to Biden’s request to resume the passage of aid trucks into Gaza via the occupied territories, after deliveries were halted two weeks earlier in protest of the occupation taking control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.

A US official said that Biden assured the Egyptian president that if the flow of aid resumed, the US would make efforts to reopen the Rafah crossing as soon as possible.

The Biden administration has consistently stated that it “envisions Gaza as part of a future Palestinian state” and advocates for the Palestinian Authority to have a role in governing it after the war. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently opposed the Palestinian Authority’s involvement in Gaza during nearly every meeting with US officials in recent months.

Netanyahu pushes against Palestinian Authority involvement

Early in the war, Netanyahu declared his opposition to any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. This stance has since become a significant political talking point, making it challenging for him to reverse his position.

During a meeting of “Israel’s” war cabinet before the talks in Egypt, Netanyahu stated that he does not agree to any role for the Palestinian Authority at the Rafah crossing, according to two sources familiar with the meeting.

One of the sources noted that Netanyahu’s remark contradicted a policy approved by the war cabinet a few days earlier, which stated that “Israel” would agree to the Rafah crossing being operated by any government entity other than the Gaza government.

Egypt and PA reject Israeli proposal 

During the meeting, the US and Egypt raised the possibility of reopening the crossing with Palestinians from Gaza who are not affiliated with Hamas and would be representatives of the Palestinian Authority, the US and Israeli officials said.

US officials reported that the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah has compiled a list of approximately 300 Palestinians from Gaza who have been vetted and are prepared to work at the crossing.

One Israeli official revealed that ‘Israel’ proposed an interim solution wherein the Palestinians on the list could manage the crossing as “a local civilian committee,” not as representatives of the Palestinian Authority.

Egypt and the Palestinian Authority rejected the idea.

Talks ended with no agreement 

The Egyptians suggested arranging a follow-up meeting with Maj. Gen. Majed al-Faraj, the director of intelligence for the Palestinian Authority, to address the matter. However, the Israelis declined, stating that their government directive prohibits engaging in discussions about Gaza with the Palestinian Authority. 

That said, an Israeli official said, “The discussions about the Rafah crossing were very tough and ended with no agreement.”

Both US officials highlighted that reaching a solution after one meeting was not expected, emphasizing that discussions with Egypt and “Israel” regarding the crossing are ongoing.

While one US official expressed a sense of frustration and disappointment on both sides during the Cairo meeting, another noted “some progress,” citing an agreement to augment the delivery of humanitarian aid from Egypt to Gaza via “Israel”.