Israel Warns Against Egypt Reopening Rafah Crossing Without Israeli Oversight
On February 18, 2025, Egyptian bulldozers entered the Rafah crossing en route to Gaza for reconstruction efforts, raising Israeli security concerns. Egypt is pushing to reopen the Rafah crossing for goods transfer without Israeli inspections, challenging Israel's current policy that only allows goods through the Kerem Shalom crossing under Israeli security checks. A senior Israeli security official told Walla that the Israeli defense establishment and political leadership maintain a unified stance with the US and peace envoy Nikolay Mladenov, firmly opposing any goods entry via Rafah without Israeli oversight.
The official emphasized that one of the main lessons from the October 7 attacks is the ongoing issue of smuggling into Gaza by land, underground, and sea routes, often undetected by Israeli security. The Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet are intensively working to prevent Hamas and other terrorist groups from smuggling dual-use materials, weapons, and ammunition into Gaza, including attempts via drones. The operational response level remains very high.
Previously, Egypt benefited financially from taxing goods entering and exiting Gaza through various routes including the Suez Canal and Sinai to Rafah, generating millions monthly. Since Israel closed Rafah for goods and limited entry to Kerem Shalom under Israeli security control, Egypt's revenues from this have drastically declined. There is also a proposal within Shin Bet to ban drone operations near the borders except for security purposes, potentially extending nationwide pending licensing regulations, though it currently lacks political support.
Currently, about 600 trucks enter Gaza daily from Israel and Egypt, carrying goods from Ashdod port and Jordan, all subject to strict inspections at Kerem Shalom. Israeli security fears that ongoing US efforts to advance the Trump peace plan may pressure Israel to alter its policy on Rafah. The Israeli government remains firm on not compromising this security stance.
