Israel Reopens Rafah Crossing, Adjusts Aid Flow Amid Tensions with Hamas
Following a period of heightened tensions, Israel has reopened the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid to return to the area. The move comes after a dispute with Hamas over the return of Israeli hostages, leading to a delay in plans to open the border and a decrease in aid into Gaza.
Background and Context
The fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its first test when Israel announced that the flow of aid into the devastated Palestinian territory would be cut by half, and the crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt would not open as planned. This decision by Israel was taken in response to Hamas breaching the US-brokered agreement by withholding the bodies of Israeli hostages1. During the first stage of returning the remains, Hamas handed over only four bodies out of 282, eliciting dissatisfaction from the Israeli government.
Key Developments
In response to the violation of the agreement by Hamas, Israel initially decided to limit the number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza to 300, half the agreed number3. However, after the return of more hostage bodies, Israel announced plans to reopen the Rafah crossing for aid deliveries4. The government subsequently decided to cancel the sanctions that were planned5.
The Israeli military body, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), had previously stated that no fuel or gas would be allowed into the Strip unless it was for specific needs related to humanitarian infrastructure6.
Reactions and Implications
US President Donald Trump urged Hamas to return the bodies of dead hostages3, stating that if Hamas does not disarm, they would be disarmed, possibly violently7. Furthermore, he expressed hope that the hostages would be released on Monday or Tuesday8.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed similar sentiments, stating that if his demands are not met 'the easy way', it could lead to a return to war9.
Current Status
Israel has since reopened the Rafah crossing, allowing 600 trucks of humanitarian aid to be dispatched to the Gaza Strip10. The Egyptian Red Crescent reported that 153 aid trucks entered through the Rafah crossing's bypass road en route to the Kerem Shalom crossing11.
Meanwhile, the situation remains volatile as the Gaza ceasefire agreement continues to be tested. The agreement, which includes provisions to increase aid to Gaza and the reopening of a border crossing from Egypt, has marked a decisive failure for the Israeli occupation regime to eliminate Hamas or recover captives through military force12.