Israel’s public broadcaster reported on Wednesday that the Hamas movement has demanded the reopening of the Rafah border crossing to allow the movement of Palestinians — describing it as a symbolic challenge to the displacement plan.
According to the broadcaster, Hamas raised the demand during ongoing prisoner exchange negotiations, insisting on the reopening of the Rafah crossing to enable Palestinians — including members of the movement — to enter the Gaza Strip.
The report stated that this move was viewed as a symbolic rejection of the “voluntary relocation plan” proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which calls for the forced emigration of Gaza’s residents to other countries.
Since 6 July 2025, indirect negotiations have been underway in Doha between Hamas and the Israeli occupation, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, and backed by the United States.
The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth described the talks as receiving a “strong boost” on Wednesday with the expected arrival of Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the region.
According to the report, all parties are now awaiting Hamas’ response to what was described as Israel’s latest concessions.
Israel’s public broadcaster quoted Palestinian sources stating that there is a high probability that Israel will accept Hamas’ demand to reopen the Rafah crossing, viewing it as a symbolic and national request by the resistance — a response to international proposals that promote the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
The broadcaster added:
“If this clause is implemented, it will be the first time since the outbreak of the war that Palestinians are allowed to enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing.”
It noted that such a development would be a potential breach in the control imposed over the Philadelphi Corridor (the border between Gaza and Egypt), despite the continued presence of Israeli forces in the area.
For more than 21 months, multiple rounds of indirect negotiations have been held between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt and Qatar and supported by the U.S.
During this time, two partial agreements were reached — the first in November 2023, and the second in January 2025.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by international courts, evaded the implementation of the latest agreement and resumed the genocidal war on Gaza on 18 March 2025.
Since 7 October 2023, Israel — with full American backing — has waged a genocide campaign in Gaza, resulting in more than 202,000 Palestinians killed or injured, the majority of them children and women. Over 9,000 remain missing, alongside hundreds of thousands displaced and a famine that has claimed countless lives.
