The Rafah crossing

The acting Egyptian government or MIlitary Committee decided this week to open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on a permanent basis to allow the transit of people. For the time being no goods are allowed to be trans-shipped thru the crossing. Naturally, this is a problem for Israel, because after Israel withdrew from Gaza there was an agreement with Egypt to have international observers to check all persons crossing through to ensure that they were not terrorists and to prevent the transfer of weapons. However, once Hamas took control they threatened the observers, which led to their escape to Israel. Then Egypt under Hosni Mubarak closed the border crossing and instituted a full blockade of Gaza. But, goods and people continued to enter Gaza thru the many tunnels dug under the border.

Now Israel must depend on the goodwill of the Egyptian authorities to ensure that no terrorists transit from Gaza or arms enter there. It is in Egypt's interests to ensure that this is the case, because they don't want to have Hamas terrorists wandering thru Sinai or other parts of Egypt and don't want Hamas to become too powerful relative to the Palestine Authority. But, just as weapons as well as other goods enter Gaza thru the tunnels under the eyes of the Egyptian guards, for a fee, so similarly can the same thing happen thru the Rafah crossing. But, if Israel suspects that Egypt is not carrying out its international obligations, then the IDF could take direct action.

Another issue is that of the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood. At present it is small on the Egyptian military government, but if they become more powerful they could influence policy to help their colleagues in Hamas, that is an off-shoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. They could open the border to the free flow of weapons and terrorists. If that were to happen then Israel would be forced to take action. The Israeli Government is watching the functioning of the Rafah crossing with great interest.

There is an argument that goes that since the border between Egypt and Gaza is now open, then Israel should no longer be responsible for the delivery of goods and other items, such as water and electricity, to Gaza. After all, if Egypt is a friendly Arab country, why don't they supply the food, medical supplies and other goods that Israel currently sends to Gaza. Let the flotillas sail to Suez and then the supplies can be shipped directly to Gaza thru the Rafah crossing, instead of using this as an excuse for a provocation against Israel.