Israel is seeking to limit the number of Palestinians allowed to re-enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, with the aim of ensuring that more people leave the territory than return, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
The plans emerge ahead of the expected reopening of the crossing next week, a move announced on Thursday by Ali Shaath, who leads a US-backed transitional Palestinian committee intended to temporarily administer Gaza.
Rafah is effectively the only entry and exit point for most of Gaza’s population of more than two million people.
Border Opening Tied to US-Led Ceasefire Plan
The reopening of Rafah was originally scheduled to take place during the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan, agreed in October between Israel and Hamas.
Earlier this month, Washington said the process had moved into its second phase. Under that stage, Israeli forces are expected to further withdraw from Gaza, while Hamas is due to relinquish administrative control of the enclave.
Israel has maintained military control over the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing since 2024.
Unclear How Entry Limits Would Be Enforced
The three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said it remains unclear how Israel would practically enforce restrictions on the number of Palestinians entering Gaza from Egypt, or what balance between exits and entries it intends to impose.
Israeli officials have previously spoken about encouraging Palestinians to leave Gaza, though they deny pursuing any policy of forced displacement.
Palestinians remain highly sensitive to any measures that could be seen as expulsion or that might prevent those who leave temporarily from being allowed to return.
Proposed Israeli Checkpoint Inside Gaza
According to the sources, Israel also wants to establish a military checkpoint inside Gaza near the Rafah crossing. All Palestinians entering or exiting Gaza would be required to pass through the checkpoint and undergo Israeli security screening.
Two additional sources confirmed that Israeli officials have insisted on such a checkpoint as a condition for reopening the border.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not respond to requests for comment. The Israeli military referred inquiries to the government and declined to comment.
International Role at the Crossing
The Rafah crossing is expected to be staffed by Palestinian personnel affiliated with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority and monitored by European Union personnel, replicating arrangements used during a brief ceasefire earlier last year.
The US Embassy in Israel did not immediately respond to questions about whether Washington supports Israel’s plans to limit re-entry or establish a military checkpoint.
Control on the Ground Remains With Israel
Under the first phase of Trump’s ceasefire plan, Israeli forces partially pulled back inside Gaza but retained control over about 53% of the territory, including the entire land border with Egypt.
Nearly all of Gaza’s population lives in the remaining areas, largely under Hamas control, many in temporary shelters or damaged buildings.
Sources said it was unclear how individuals would be treated if they were blocked from passing through an Israeli checkpoint, particularly Palestinians attempting to enter Gaza from Egypt.
Political Tensions Over Border Opening
Israel has repeatedly raised objections to reopening Rafah, with some officials saying Hamas must first return the body of an Israeli police officer still held in Gaza — the final remains due to be transferred under the ceasefire’s first phase.
US officials have privately indicated that Washington, rather than Israel, is driving the implementation of the president’s plan to bring the war to an end.
As preparations continue, the reopening of Gaza’s only major gateway remains politically and diplomatically fraught, with the movement of civilians once again at the centre of negotiations.