DaysofPal – The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that diplomatic efforts are underway to reopen the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
The newspaper reported, citing an unnamed diplomatic source, that the body known as the “Peace Council” and the office of its high representative for Gaza, Nikolay Mladenov, have been holding discussions with the Israeli government aimed at reopening the Rafah Border Crossing in both directions.
Israeli occupation forces shut all crossings with the Gaza Strip less than three days after the launch of the joint United States–Israeli military campaign against Iran, citing security considerations. The closure halted the movement of people and goods into the Palestinian enclave.
At the beginning of last week, Israel announced a limited reopening of the Kerem Shalom Crossing under pressure from the United States, allowing a restricted number of humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza.
According to the report, the decision followed direct discussions between Aryeh Lightstone, a senior adviser to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and a representative of the Peace Council, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite the limited step involving Kerem Shalom, other crossings remain closed, including the Rafah crossing, the primary gateway for Palestinians entering and leaving Gaza.
A security source told the newspaper that no political directive has yet been issued to reopen the crossing, adding that field conditions do not currently allow such a move.
The continued closure comes at a time when Gaza’s health sector faces a deepening crisis. The blockade on medicines and medical supplies continues, while Israeli military operations over the past two years have targeted medical workers through killings and arrests and caused widespread destruction of major hospitals.
Reports issued by international, United Nations, and human rights organizations warn that Gaza’s healthcare system stands on the brink of collapse. Hospitals and clinics struggle to meet the needs of patients and the wounded, while the number of injuries continues to rise and urgent medical interventions remain critically needed.
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