Cairo: SiltaNews – News Desk
The head of the Palestinian technocrats committee in Gaza, Ali Shaath, said on Thursday that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is expected to reopen in both directions next week. He described the reopening of the Rafah crossing as a significant step, stressing that Gaza is moving toward a “brighter future” and urging broad local and international cooperation. Shaath acknowledged that the committee faces major and complex challenges in Gaza, but said the international community is expected to support Palestinian efforts in the next stage.
The technocratic committee was recently formed to manage daily life in Gaza, including security and essential services as well as reconstruction efforts. It is overseen by the newly established Board of Peace, which led by US President Donald Trump and is set to include many world leaders. Shaath made the remarks on the Rafah crossing during the launch of the Board of Peace, as Trump signed the board’s charter on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Rafah border crossing has long been a key gateway for people and aid between Egypt and Gaza, especially during the recent Israeli war. However, it has been blocked by Israel from the Palestinian side since May last year. Egyptian authorities have repeatedly stressed that the Rafah land port has not closed from the Egyptian side since the start of the war, blaming Israel for obstructing aid deliveries.
Over the past months, Egypt has been sending humanitarian aid through its side of the Rafah crossing, after which trucks are routed to the Karm Abu Salem crossing in southern Gaza for inspection by Israeli authorities before entering the enclave. The Rafah crossing was set to reopen under the terms of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which established a ceasefire in October and included a prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel as part of its first phase.
In December, the Israeli government said that the crossing will open shortly to allow Palestinians’ departure only, claiming that the move comes in coordination with Egypt. Cairo rejected the move, saying the crossing must open in both directions to allow Palestinians to leave and return to Gaza, and warned against Israel’s continued attempts to displace residents from the strip.