Israeli authorities announced on Sunday morning the limited reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, after a closure that had lasted since Israeli forces took control of it in May 2014. According to the statement issued, this step will allow only residents of the Strip to pass through in an initial experimental phase.

Background and context of the closure

The Rafah crossing is the main lifeline for the residents of the Gaza Strip. It is the only land crossing that does not pass through Israel, and it connects the Strip directly to Egypt and from there to the outside world. Historically, the crossing has been controlled by various entities, but it gained paramount importance after the Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007. Its closure last May, as part of the Israeli military operation in Rafah, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis catastrophically, halting the flow of vital aid and trapping hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, including patients, students, and holders of foreign residency permits, inside the Strip.

Details of the pilot phase

The Israeli government's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) explained that the decision was made "in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and directives from the political leadership." It added that this initial pilot phase is being conducted in full coordination with the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), the Egyptian authorities, and all relevant parties. This coordination aims to ensure an orderly and safe passage for the population, with continuous assessment of the situation to inform future decisions regarding the operation of the crossing.

Importance and expected effects

Locally, this limited opening offers a glimmer of hope for Gaza's residents, who have endured a suffocating blockade. It could provide an opportunity for patients requiring urgent medical treatment abroad, for students enrolled in foreign universities, and for families separated by the war. Regionally, this step underscores Egypt's pivotal role as a key mediator in the Palestinian issue and an indispensable partner in managing the crossing. Internationally, this move comes in response to immense pressure exerted by humanitarian organizations and the international community on Israel to open the crossings, facilitate the delivery of aid, and alleviate the humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip. While this step is positive, it remains limited and does not address the vast scale of humanitarian needs in Gaza, and the situation remains contingent on future political and field developments.

Former US President Donald Trump, in a statement reflecting his dual strategy toward Tehran, confirmed that his administration did not share any specific military plans with US allies in the region regarding potential strikes against Iran. This statement, made at the height of tensions between the two countries, added a layer of ambiguity to Washington's true intentions and represents part of his administration's "maximum pressure" policy.

Trump added that “Tehran is talking to Washington,” hinting at the existence of communication channels and leaving the door open for diplomacy by saying, “We’ll see if we can do something, and if not, we’ll see what happens.” He reiterated that a “large American fleet” is heading to the region, a military message intended to deter Iran and demonstrate strength, without specifying the nature of the fleet’s mission or the likelihood of a military attack.

Background to the tension: Withdrawal from the nuclear agreement

The roots of this crisis lie in President Trump's decision in May 2018 to unilaterally withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, which was signed in 2015 between Iran and world powers. Following the withdrawal, Washington reimposed harsh economic sanctions on Tehran with the aim of crippling its economy and forcing it back to the negotiating table to reach a new, more comprehensive agreement that addresses its missile program and regional influence.

The importance of the event and its regional and international impact

Trump's statements carried significant weight on several levels. Domestically, they were intended to project an image of him as a strong leader who would not hesitate to use force but who preferred diplomacy. Regionally, this policy alarmed Washington's traditional allies in the Gulf, who are on the front line with Iran, as the lack of transparency regarding specific plans left them uncertain. Internationally, this policy strained relations with European allies (Britain, France, and Germany) who had worked hard to preserve the nuclear agreement as a means of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

For its part, the Iranian leadership, represented by then-President Hassan Rouhani, maintained that war would not benefit any party in the Middle East, emphasizing that Tehran would not negotiate under pressure or threats. These divergent positions reflected a dangerous state of tension, with the region teetering on the brink of military confrontation on several occasions, amidst intensive diplomatic efforts by international and regional actors to defuse the crisis and prevent a slide into a wider conflict.