Israel weighs transfer of Rafah crossing control to EU, Palestinians

Israeli officials are contemplating handing control of Gaza's Rafah border crossing to the European Union and Palestinian authorities.

Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scepticism about relinquishing control, discussions are ongoing with the EU and the US, Caliber.Az reports citing Bloomberg.

The proposed change aims to facilitate the flow of aid into Gaza and potentially signal a step towards resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict. The EU has been advocating for a truce and has expressed interest in resuming oversight of the crossing, a role it held before 2007 when Hamas assumed control.

Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas must not be allowed to regain control of the border and that Israeli troops should remain in the vicinity. His stance contrasts with some military leaders who support reopening the crossing.

The Rafah crossing, a critical route for aid, has been closed since Israeli forces took it over from Hamas in May. The US, UN, and Arab states have pressed for its reopening to ensure the delivery of essential supplies to Gaza's civilians.

The potential plan involves deploying Palestinian officials and the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) to manage the crossing, though final details remain unclear. The EU has indicated it supports EUBAM's return, conditional on the cessation of fighting and resolution of Gaza’s governance issues.

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden and address Congress next week, marking his first international trip since the conflict began in October. The ongoing war has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with over 38,000 Palestinians reported killed according to Hamas-run sources.