Israeli officials are contemplating transferring control of the Rafah border crossing in Gaza to the European Union and Palestinians, according to informed sources.
Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to relinquishing Israel’s control over the Rafah crossing, Israeli officials are engaged in discussions with the EU and the United States about this proposal, sources told Bloomberg.
If approved, this proposal could mark a significant step towards ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas and facilitating the delivery of more aid to the devastated Palestinian territories.
These negotiations highlight the renewed diplomatic efforts by the EU to alleviate some of the pressure on Palestinian civilians and help bring an end to the war.
The EU has long called for a truce, but it has had little influence over the Israeli government, which seeks to dismantle Hamas.
The EU previously helped manage the crossing until Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
Netanyahu has stated that regardless of Israel’s actions, Hamas will not be allowed to regain control of the border.
His government insists that Israeli forces must remain in the vicinity of the crossing and along the Gaza-Egypt border.
Following a visit to Rafah, Netanyahu emphasized the strategic importance of controlling the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing for the future.
In May, the Israeli military conducted an operation in Rafah, seizing the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side and deploying its forces along the entire Philadelphi Corridor, which spans approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) along the Gaza-Egypt border.
Earlier on Thursday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian city of Rafah and the operation of the Rafah crossing by the Palestinian Authority.
