Egypt denies coordination with Israel on opening Rafah crossing

Egypt has denied reports from some Israeli media outlets claiming that the Rafah border crossing would soon be opened to allow residents of the Gaza Strip to leave, Al Arabiya reports, citing an official Egyptian source.

"If an agreement is reached to open the crossing, movement would take place in both directions, for entry into and exit from the [Gaza] Strip, in compliance with the plan of US President Donald Trump," the source said.

Earlier, COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating aid in Gaza, said Israel would open Rafah under EU supervision, in coordination with Egypt. It said the border crossing would be opened “in the coming days to allow Gaza residents to travel exclusively to Egypt, in line with the current ceasefire agreement in the Strip. Palestinians wishing to leave will require Israeli security approval, though return trips to Gaza will not be allowed.”

The crossing was sealed off in May 2024 when Israel’s military invaded the area. It was briefly opened in February this year for the evacuation of sick and wounded Palestinians for treatment, as part of the previous ceasefire deal.

By Khagan Isayev