Table of Contents
1. Vital access for aid and the people of Gaza
2. Under Israeli control since May 2024
3. Reopening is still a question mark
4. Kerem Shalom’s role in aid distribution
5. Other routes are still limited
Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
Crossing
Rafah
at the border
Gaza
and Egypt is back in the international spotlight.
This route, which has been the lifeblood of humanitarian aid for years, has not yet been fully opened, even though the latest ceasefire proposed by United States President Donald Trump has come into effect.
Here are five important things about the Rafah route, a crucial crossing for millions of Gazans, as reported
AFP
:
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1. Vital access for aid and the people of Gaza
Rafah is the only entry point from Egypt to the Gaza Strip which allows the movement of humanitarian workers and trucks carrying aid, ranging from food, medical logistics, to fuel.In areas that often experience power outages, the existence of this route is very crucial for the survival of residents.
Before Israel tightened the blockade in 2007, Rafah was also the main exit point for Palestinians who received permission to leave Gaza.From 2005 to 2007, the terminal was under Palestinian authority before becoming a symbol of Hamas control after the group took power.
2. Under Israeli control since May 2024
On 7 May 2024, the Israeli military took over the Palestinian side of Rafah under the pretext that the crossing was being used for ‘terrorist’ activities, including suspected arms smuggling.Since then, most access to the route has been closed, including those normally used by UN agencies.
Rafah was briefly opened during a brief ceasefire on January 19 2025. At that time, residents who were allowed to leave could pass through the border, followed by the entry of a number of aid trucks.
3. Reopening is still a question mark
The latest truce led by Trump took effect on October 10.Following that, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar mentioned plans to open Rafah.
However, the Israeli PM’s office confirmed that the crossing would remain closed until further notice.
Israel said Wednesday that Rafah would be opened in the next few days to allow Gazans to leave, but Egypt immediately denied the existence of such an agreement.
COGAT, the Israeli body that regulates civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, said Rafah would later operate under the supervision of the European Union Border Assistance Mission, similar to the mechanism in January 2025.
The plan in the ceasefire agreement stipulates that Rafah will be reopened and Gaza can receive large-scale international assistance.However, until now, Israel has withheld a decision on the grounds that Hamas has not returned all the bodies of the hostages and that further coordination with Egypt is still needed.
4. Kerem Shalom’s role in aid distribution
Most international aid arriving first via Port Said or El-Arish will be directed towards Rafah.From there, the trucks will be sent to the Israeli crossing at Kerem Shalom which is several kilometers away.
At that point, the driver must get out of the vehicle to undergo a strict inspection.Goods that pass inspection are then transferred to another truck that has permission to enter Gaza.
5. Other routes are still limited
The deal brokered by Trump set a target of 600 aid trucks entering Gaza every day.But for now, Israel has only permitted a much smaller number, three-quarters via Kerem Shalom and the rest via the Kissufim crossing, based on UN data.
Meanwhile, the Erez or Beit Hanoun crossing which connects Gaza with southern Israel is also still closed.The route was badly damaged by a Hamas attack on October 7 2023 and was only opened briefly in early 2025.
A number of other accesses have been operated before, but until now Israel has not confirmed whether these routes will be reopened.
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