Israel seeks to limit Palestinian entry into Gaza as Rafah crossing set to reopen

TEL AVIV: Israel plans to restrict the number of Palestinians entering Gaza from Egypt to ensure that more people are allowed to leave the territory than return, three sources familiar with the matter said, ahead of the expected reopening of the Rafah border crossing next week.

Ali Shaath, head of a US-backed transitional Palestinian committee tasked with temporarily administering Gaza, announced on Thursday that the Rafah Crossing — the main route in and out of Gaza for most of its more than two million residents — would reopen next week.

The crossing was originally due to open during the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war, under a ceasefire reached in October between Israel and Hamas. Washington earlier this month said the plan had now entered its second phase, which envisages a further Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas relinquishing administrative control of the territory.

The Gaza side of the Rafah Crossing has remained under Israeli military control since 2024.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said it was still unclear how Israel would enforce limits on Palestinian entry from Egypt, or what ratio of exits to entries it aimed to achieve.

Israeli officials have previously spoken of encouraging Palestinians to leave Gaza, while denying any intention to forcibly transfer the population. Palestinians, however, remain highly sensitive to any suggestion that those who leave temporarily could be prevented from returning.

According to the sources, Israel also wants to establish a military checkpoint inside Gaza near the border, where all Palestinians entering or leaving would undergo Israeli security screening.

The Rafah Crossing is expected to be staffed by Palestinians linked to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority and monitored by European Union personnel, as was the case during a brief ceasefire between Israel and Hamas last year.

The Israeli prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The military referred queries to the government. An Israeli official told Reuters that the government would decide when the crossing would open and that no Palestinian would be allowed to enter or exit Gaza without Israeli approval.

US officials, speaking privately, said Washington — not Israel — is driving the implementation of the plan to end the war.

Israel currently retains control of 53 per cent of Gaza, including the entire land border with Egypt, while most of the population remains in the rest of the territory, largely living in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings under Hamas control.

Some Israeli officials have also linked the opening of the border to Hamas returning the body of an Israeli police officer — the final remains due to be transferred under the ceasefire’s first phase.