On June 30, Hebrew Channel 12 published an article outlining Israel's plan following the destruction of the Rafah crossing. The article claimed that Israel intends to construct a new Rafah crossing near the Kerem Shalom border, implementing modern inspection methods to control Gaza's imports and exports. However, Egyptian media outlets, citing officials, have denied any plans to relocate or build a new Rafah crossing.
What Is Gaza’s Rafah Crossing?
Often referred to as the Gaza Strip's "lifeline," the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is situated on Gaza's 7.5-mile border with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Rafah, and it is one of three Gaza border crossings and the only one not directly connected to Israel.
Despite Egypt's frequent closures, which contribute to Gaza's isolation, Rafah remains a crucial link for the besieged territory, under an Israeli-imposed blockade since 2007, to the outside world.
Typically, Rafah serves as a civilian crossing for Palestinians traveling to Egypt for medical care and personal reasons. However, with all other borders closed since the conflict began, it has become the sole entry point for the limited humanitarian aid permitted into Gaza.
The Philadelphi Corridor, also known as the Philadelphi Route, is a 14 km (8.7-mile) strip of land that forms the entire border area between Gaza and Egypt. It was controlled by Israeli armed forces as part of the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt, which ended Israel’s occupation of the Sinai Peninsula and reopened the Suez Canal.
In May 2024, Israeli tanks entered the southern Gaza City of Rafah, taking control of the territory's border crossing with Egypt.
Egypt Condemns Israeli Military Offensive in the Rafah Crossing
Israel and Egypt are entangled in an escalating diplomatic dispute over the Rafah border crossing following Israel's takeover of the Gaza side of the crossing, with Cairo warning that it may downgrade relations.
In May 2024, Egypt announced it would cease allowing the transit of aid into Gaza and intends to join South Africa in a genocide case against Israel at the U.N.’s top court.
Egypt, Israel's largest Arab neighbor, has brought relations to a level of tension unprecedented since the 1979 peace treaty.
The Rafah crossing, situated between Egypt and southern Gaza, has been a crucial route for aid into the coastal territory, where a deepening humanitarian crisis has put people at risk of famine.
On June 17, the Israeli army burned the departure hall and several facilities on the Palestinian side of the Rafah land crossing in the southern Gaza Strip. Photos and videos circulated on social media by Israeli soldiers showed the departure hall completely destroyed by fire.
Israeli Media Alleges Collaboration with Egypt to Construct New Rafah Crossing
Hebrew Channel 12 reported on Israel's plan, stating that the Israeli military is collaborating with the Egyptians to build a modern Rafah crossing. The channel also provided photos of its proposed new location.
The report indicates that to maintain the progress made in the Rafah operation, the IOF is creating a sterile zone to destroy resistance tunnels along the Philadelphia axis on the Gaza side.
This sterile space ensures the IOF's ability to effectively target tunnels crossing into Egypt, preventing future smuggling into Gaza. It also allows the IOF to operate in the area with greater freedom and maintain intelligence and operational control.
The report further alleged that the IOF in coordination with the Egyptians, is planning a barrier along the Philadelphia axis, featuring both an above-ground section and an underground wall to prevent future tunnel construction.
In addition, there are plans to construct a new Rafah crossing at the "Three Borders" point, near Kerem Shalom, where Israel, Egypt, the Palestinians, and the Americans can jointly manage it. This new crossing will feature modern inspection methods to control the flow of goods in and out of Gaza.
Moreover, the alleged plan to relocate or construct a new Rafah crossing spread like wildfire on social media, prompting many users to raise concerns and question the validity of this plan, given its significance as the Rafah border is the only exit point for Palestinians fleeing Gaza.
Egypt Denies Reports of Relocating or Building a New Rafah Crossing
Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel reported on Sunday that Egypt has denied reports suggesting it agreed to relocate the Rafah crossing bordering the Gaza Strip or construct a new terminal near Israel's Kerem Shalom crossing.
According to the TV channel, a senior security source emphasized that there have been no Egyptian discussions regarding the relocation of the Rafah crossing or Israeli oversight over it. The source reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian side of the crossing.
Moreover, the source stated that Egypt has rejected the deployment of Egyptian forces into Gaza, asserting that the post-war arrangements in the strip are solely a Palestinian matter.
The Al-Araby News reporter also debunked the claim live, citing local Egyptian media outlets.
Israeli Offensive Claims 37,900 Palestinian Lives
Since October 7, at least 37,925 people have been killed and 87,141 others have been injured in Israel’s war on Gaza.
Recently, hundreds of Palestinian patients have been compelled to evacuate the European Hospital and tent camps for displaced persons in Khan Yunis. The Israeli army issued an urgent directive to evacuate eastern areas of Gaza's second-largest city, exacerbating the humanitarian plight.
This mass evacuation coincides with intense Israeli tank deployments and combat in Rafah, southern Gaza, and the Shujayea neighborhood in northern Gaza City, further endangering Palestinian civilians.
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