The Biden administration is in talks with a European Union organization to help reopen and control the Rafah border crossing in Gaza, according to a senior U.S. official and another source familiar with the matter, as reported by "Politico." The United States is proposing to bring in a neutral third party to manage the crossing, specifically the EU Border Assistance Mission. This organization previously operated at the Gaza border but suspended its activities in 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza.
Sources stated that American officials have been working for weeks to mediate discussions between Israel and Egypt, aiming to reach an agreement that would place the European organization in charge of the Rafah crossing and significantly improve the flow of aid to the region. The EU Border Assistance Mission did not respond to requests for comments regarding its talks with the Biden administration.
These discussions come amid increasing tensions between Egypt and Israel over the Rafah attacks. Before Israel's entry into Rafah, Cairo warned Tel Aviv about the operation, emphasizing that violent clashes along its border threaten its national security. In recent days, Biden officials have tried to facilitate the entry of more aid into Gaza, but the Kerem Shalom crossing is congested with trucks from private contractors and UN-linked relief groups, resulting in slow-moving shipments.
The decline in aid delivery has resulted in basic goods such as flour becoming less available, prompting Gaza residents to climb onto trucks and take parcels before they are distributed at aid sites. The Biden administration has explored several options to assist in reopening the Rafah crossing, including the possibility of requesting help from private contractors. However, many groups have expressed concerns about control of the crossing during the Israeli operations in Rafah.
The Rafah crossing serves as a vital passage for humanitarian aid into Gaza and a point of exit for those being medically evacuated from the territory, where the humanitarian crisis is worsening and the specter of famine looms. Israel has taken control of operations at the crossing, stating that it will not allow Hamas to have any role there in the future.
