The crossing will be managed by Palestinian personnel who are not affiliated with the Palestinian Authority and do not wear Palestinian Authority uniforms, as well as EU observers from the EUBAM delegation.
Discussions about disarming Hamas are not expected to begin until the Rafah crossing reopens, two people familiar with the matter said jerusalem post.
Sources say the Palestinian technocratic government in Gaza will lead disarmament talks with Hamas. “The idea is that the Palestinians will negotiate with the Palestinians,” one source said.
Meanwhile, preparations for the reopening of the Rafah crossing continue. Prior to this, the body of the last kidnapped Israeli hostage, Ran Gweli, had been recovered and repatriated.
The crossing will be managed by Palestinian personnel who are not affiliated with the Palestinian Authority and do not wear Palestinian Authority uniforms, as well as EU observers from the EUBAM delegation.
View of the Rafah border crossing in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on July 15, 2024. (Image credit: Oren Cohen/Flash90)
Hamas refuses to engage in disarmament talks before Rafah crossing opens
Although earlier reports expected the crossing to open as early as Wednesday, an Israeli official and a Western diplomat both told reporters postal Thursday is now the earliest possible date.
“There’s a chance this won’t happen until early next week,” the pair added.
Once operational, the Rafah crossing will restrict civilian access. Regarding exits from Gaza, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Service) will implement screening procedures to verify the identity of those leaving.
On the entry side, Israel will add a checkpoint a few meters from the crossing to conduct security checks aimed at preventing the smuggling of weapons or materials that could enhance Hamas’ operational capabilities.
A senior U.S. official said on Tuesday that reconstruction efforts in Gaza would only progress if Hamas agrees to disarm.
“The ball is in Hamas’s court – they stand in the way of Gaza’s recovery and a better future for its people,” officials told reporters.