The two sides of Rafah’s Control: Questioning Media Credibility

by Mariam El Sayed; Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 24-09-2025

“The gatekeepers of Gaza” is an overly simplified narrative which fails to capture the political and logistical complexities of the Rafah crossing. Egypt has been cast as the gatekeeper, a role that is more complex than public perception suggests.

Many are under the impression that Egypt has complete and utter authority over the Rafah crossing. Egypt and the Palestinian Authority, in theory, co-manage the Rafah crossing, with heavy monitoring from Israel. The 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access formalized this agreement after Israels disengagement from Gaza, stating that Rafah would be operated by the Palestinian Authority with the presence of EU^[1]. In reality, the crossing has undergone several authority shifts over the years, including temporary openings, tunnel demolition, and construction, each change reflecting the dynamics of the regional struggles. After  October 7, the dynamics became more complex with Israel seizing the crossing in 2024 only to withdraw in 2025 as part of the ceasefire agreement. The withdrawal was short-lived, though, as Rafah was later reoccupied during the Might and Sword Operation in March 2025^[2]. Throughout these events, Egypt resisted cooperation with Israel, insisting that the crossing should be managed only by the Palestinian authorities.

Deciphering between perception and reality is challenging in the vast amount of information disseminated by the media, particularly in the era of misinformation. It is through examining real-life facts that one can start to see beyond them. Looking at Egypt’s dispatch of its 27th humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza, despite ongoing Israeli restriction challenges, there is a widespread misconception of their ‘total control’^[3]. Even as Egypt is mobilising trucks, it is the Israeli restrictions which dictate the process from start to finish. Reports have been documented sighting Israeli settlers gathering along known aid delivery routes, waiting to intercept incoming trucks^[4]. Adding on to the delay, Israeli troops have fired at gathering crowds waiting for the aid promised—casualties have totalled over a thousand^[1]. Israel’s grasp extends, though, as convoys cannot move without Israeli inspection, approval and clearance. In theory, trucks that pass inspection enter Gaza to unload supplies to be distributed. In practice, however, aid is delayed, blocked or violently disrupted. Humanitarian workers and agencies have stated that Israel has downright obstructed the process, making it difficult or borderline impossible to retrieve the aid safely. The World Food Programme noted that it has 300 assistance trucks waiting to be distributed inside Gaza, and UNRWA followed up by saying that it has around 6,000 aid trucks waiting in Jordan and Egypt, waiting to be approved^[2].

What is being witnessed is not a new occurrence, as many like to say, “history repeats itself”. A comparison could be made to the Berlin checkpoints during the Cold War. Checkpoint Charlie, for example, was often perceived as being under the firm control of either the USA or the Soviet Union^[3]. In reality, these checkpoints had divided authority, constantly facing renegotiation and occasionally pushed to the brink of military confrontation. The Rafah crossing mirrors this dynamic, as a pressure point where the rule of external powers conflicts. Like Berlin, Egypt is seen as the ‘gatekeeper, when in reality the situation is a messy entanglement of competing authority. 

Therefore, Egypt’s role is one of difficult balancing. On one hand, Egypt seeks to maintain regional stability while assessing the new, complex geopolitical challenges arising in the region. It is also adding to its efforts to maintain its strategic interest with Washington, which includes military and economic aid. This is all without delving into other challenges Egypt is attempting to manage, such as the refugee crisis of Sudan, the Ethiopian dam threatening Egypt’s water security, and the economic state of Egypt. In this context, assumptions have been made that this means Egypt’s neglect of the Palestinian people. Yet, on May 23, 2025, Egypt’s Representative to the United Nations, addressed a UN Security Council session on Palestine, insisting on the need for immediate and practical interventions to provide support for humanitarian assistance^[4].

Still, Egypt has yet to escape criticism. Rage directed at Egypt risks obscuring the primary perpetrator of Gaza, Israel. The displaced blame fractures international solidarity and weakens the pressure campaign where it matters the most. Diverting the outrage away from Israel, the perpetrators of the atrocities in Gaza, and fracturing the public’s call for justice. To stand in solidarity with Palestine is to confront the aggressors, not deflect towards those working—however imperfectly—to provide aid and relief.

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^[1]UNISPAL. One year on: Agreement on Movement and Access [PDF]. Retrieved from https://unispal.un.org/pdfs/AMA_OneYearOn.pdf

^[2]Shaw, B. (2025, March 21). Continuing Operation ‘Strength and Sword’. Jewish Policy Center. https://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/2025/03/21/continuing-operation-strength-and-sword/

^[3]SIS Egypt. (2025.). Egypt dispatches 27th humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza amid ongoing Israeli restrictions [Press release]. https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/212766/Egypt-dispatches-27th-humanitarian-aid-convoy-to-Gaza-amid-ongoing-Israeli-restrictions?lang=en-us

^[4]Foundation for Defense of Democracies. (2025, August 5). UN reports 88 percent of aid trucks slated for delivery in Gaza since May looted along routes. https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/08/05/un-reports-88-percent-of-aid-trucks-slated-for-delivery-in-gaza-since-may-looted-along-routes/

^[5]Military.com. (2025, August 6). Dozens killed seeking aid in Gaza; Israel weighs further military action. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/08/06/dozens-killed-seeking-aid-gaza-israel-weighs-further-military-action.html

^[6]NBC News. (2025). Gaza faces food starvation amid challenges in aid distribution — Israel’s role questioned. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/gaza-food-starvation-aid-distribution-israel-rcna221225

^[7]Major, P. (2020, June 22). A brief history of Checkpoint Charlie. HistoryExtra. https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/checkpoint-charlie-berlin-history-facts-when-built-escape-visit/

^[8]SIS Egypt. (2025). Egypt plays key role in humanitarian efforts for Gaza [Press release]. https://sis.gov.eg/Story/208848/Egypt-plays-key-role-in-humanitarian-efforts-for-Gaza?lang=en-us

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Mariam El Sayed is a researcher at BUC’s Centre for Global Affairs.. Her research interests include International Relations, Conflict and Security Studies, Socio-political analysis, and Comparative Politics.