January 31, 2025 | Flash Brief

European Union Restarts Rafah Crossing Monitoring Mission, Egyptians Protest on Border

January 31, 2025 | Flash Brief

European Union Restarts Rafah Crossing Monitoring Mission, Egyptians Protest on Border

Latest Developments

  • EU Resumes Rafah Border Missions: The European Union (EU) on January 31 restarted its civil border mission at the Rafah crossing that separates Gaza from Egypt, according to a statement by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas. Kallas said that the mission will play a “decisive role in supporting the ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas, allowing several Gazans to receive medical care in Egypt.
  • Hamas Among Gazans Slated for Medical Care in Egypt: The Rafah crossing, which will be overseen by members of the Palestinian Authority and EU monitors, will initially open for the transfer of 100 Gazans to Egypt, 50 of whom are Hamas terrorists. The transfer of the injured will be facilitated by the World Health Organization, and there will be no reentry permitted to Gaza.
  • Egyptians Gather at Rafah Border, Protest Trump: Hundreds of Egyptians protested at the Rafah Border Crossing on January 31 against President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to relocate Gazans to Egypt and Jordan. Trump has said that he would like to see Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi and Jordan’s King Abdullah take in displaced Palestinian civilians from the enclave, which is heavily damaged from nearly a year and a half of war. While Sissi and Abdullah rejected the plan outright, Trump said on January 30 that he is confident that the two countries “will do it,” adding that the United States has leverage and does “a lot” for both Egypt and Jordan.

FDD Expert Response                    

“The opening of the Rafah crossing is another positive sign for Hamas. Allowing fighters to cross into Egypt to seek medical attention is a part of the beginning stages of the Islamist group’s recovery from the war. Furthermore, despite the security mechanisms in place, the crossing has a history of corruption, and Hamas will undoubtedly attempt to exploit it as it tries to regenerate from the losses it suffered in the war.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“The Rafah crossing is a critical border between Gaza and Egypt given its use to arm Hamas in the past. As such, it is essential that it be secured so that weapons or terrorists cannot exploit it going forward. The reopening of the crossing is the latest juncture in the ceasefire, one that could help build confidence between Israel, Egypt, and other stakeholders in the future.” Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow

“For Egypt, this ceasefire has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the Egyptian street has been demanding an end to the fighting, and the agreement has eased some of the domestic pressure on Cairo. On the other hand, it has created new challenges. Egypt now finds itself temporarily hosting released terrorists and providing medical treatment to injured Hamas fighters — an arrangement that could have long-term security consequences.” Mariam Wahba, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

Israeli forces in Rafah report discovering numerous tunnels and significant terrorist infrastructure,” by Seth J. Frantzman

U.S., Israeli, and Palestinian Officials Met to Discuss Control of Rafah Crossing,” FDD Flash Brief

Israel: 50 Rafah Tunnels to Egypt Unearthed,” FDD Flash Brief

IDF Takes Control of Gaza Side of Rafah Crossing,” FDD Flash Brief

Issues:

Issues:

Egypt International Organizations U.S. Defense Policy and Strategy

Topics:

Topics:

Israel Hamas Palestinians Islamism Gaza Strip Egypt Donald Trump European Union Jordan Palestinian National Authority Cairo Rafah Egyptians Abdullah II of Jordan World Health Organization European Commission Rafah Border Crossing