Israel's Plan for One-Way Rafah Crossing Opening Draws International Concern

Israel Announces One-Way Rafah Crossing Opening

Israel announced on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, its intention to open the Rafah border crossing for Palestinians to exit the Gaza Strip into Egypt. The announcement, made by Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), stated that the crossing would operate in the coming days, allowing residents to leave the Palestinian territory. This move has, however, sparked immediate and widespread concern among international mediators and Muslim-majority countries, who fear it could lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians.

Details of the Israeli Proposal and Conditions for Exit

According to the Israeli announcement, Palestinians wishing to exit Gaza via Rafah would require Israeli and Egyptian security approval. The operation of the crossing is intended to be under the supervision of a European Union delegation, a mechanism similar to one implemented in January 2025. A key aspect of Israel's plan is that it would facilitate only a one-way exit from Gaza, with no provisions for Palestinians to return until all hostages are released.

Egypt's Rejection and Regional Opposition

Egypt swiftly denied any coordination or agreement with Israel regarding a unilateral opening of the Rafah crossing, insisting that any such arrangement must allow for movement in both directions. Egyptian officials view Israel's one-way proposal as a potential strategy for the forced displacement of Palestinians, which they consider a national security threat and a violation of international law. The head of Egypt's State Information Service, Diaa Rashwan, stated that 'the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip is a red line.'

This stance was echoed by a joint statement issued on Friday, December 5, 2025, by the foreign ministers of eight Muslim-majority countries: Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. They expressed 'deep concern' over Israel's plan and voiced their 'absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land.' The ministers urged that the Rafah crossing be opened bidirectionally, in accordance with the US President Donald Trump's peace plan, which underpins the current ceasefire agreement. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) further condemned the proposed one-way opening, asserting that forced displacement constitutes a war crime and a clear violation of international law.

Humanitarian Context and Broader Implications

The Rafah crossing serves as Gaza's primary link to Egypt and the outside world, separate from Israeli-controlled crossings. Its prolonged closure has severely restricted movement and the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory. Humanitarian organizations, including the World Health Organization, have highlighted the urgent need for the crossing to be fully operational, noting that over 16,500 sick and wounded individuals in Gaza require medical care outside the enclave. While Israel states its plan is 'in accordance with the ceasefire agreement,' critics argue that a one-way opening breaches the terms of the US-brokered peace plan, which mandates two-way movement and full humanitarian access.