Netanyahu Refutes Claims of PA Control over Rafah Crossing
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Synopsis
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu denied claims that the Palestinian Authority is managing the Rafah crossing, asserting that the Israeli military still oversees the crossing point. The PA is responsible for passport stamping but not direct management. This arrangement will be reviewed later amidst ongoing tensions in Gaza.
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu denies PA control over Rafah crossing.
- Israel maintains military oversight of the crossing.
- The crossing is essential for humanitarian aid.
- PA is responsible for passport stamping only.
- Blockade on Gaza has been ongoing since 2007.
Jerusalem, Jan 22 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuted on Wednesday media claims suggesting that Israel has permitted the Palestinian Authority (PA) to oversee the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
The Rafah crossing is a vital point for humanitarian assistance and enables Gazans to seek necessary medical care abroad.
Previous reports from both Israeli and Palestinian outlets indicated that representatives from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the European Union were engaged in discussions regarding the PA's potential management of the Palestinian sector of the crossing, following a ceasefire agreement that commenced on Sunday after a prolonged 15-month Israeli offensive that severely impacted the enclave.
Netanyahu's office stated, “The report is incorrect,” asserting that the PA is attempting “to create a false picture to the effect that it controls the crossing.”
The statement emphasized that Israeli military forces are currently stationed at the crossing, and “nobody passes through it without supervision and approval from the military and Shin Bet security agency.”
According to Netanyahu's office, the technical management of the crossing is conducted by “Gazans unaffiliated with Hamas,” who have been responsible for essential civilian services within the enclave, including electricity, water, and sewage since the conflict began. The European Union Border Assistance Mission aims to bolster Palestinian oversight and security of the crossing.
Nevertheless, the office conceded that while the PA does not directly manage the crossing, it is tasked with stamping passports, a necessary step as international agreements dictate that Palestinians can only exit the Gaza Strip with the PA's stamp.
Netanyahu's office noted, “This arrangement is valid for the first phase of the agreement and will be reviewed later,” as reported by Xinhua.
The blockade on Gaza has been in place since 2007, and during the recent conflict that began in October 2023, Israel halted all supplies of water, food, electricity, and fuel to Gaza, albeit allowing some humanitarian aid to enter via truck.
