Egypt-Israel Disagreement Over Number of Entrants and Exits Through Rafah Crossing

SadaNews - The Israeli Broadcasting Authority revealed disagreements between Tel Aviv and Cairo regarding the number of people entering and exiting Gaza through the Rafah crossing, which is likely to open on Sunday. This announcement comes as North Sinai Governor Khaled Mogawar declared Egypt's readiness to allow aid into Gaza and receive the injured through the crossing. The authority explained that Israel wants the number of people leaving to be greater than those entering, while the Egyptians insist on an equal ratio, fearing an attempt to encourage migration from Gaza. In this context, the North Sinai Governor stated in remarks broadcast by Egyptian television on Wednesday evening that the governorate, which oversees the Egyptian side of the crossing, is prepared for all potential scenarios. Mogawar confirmed that the crisis management room is preparing possible scenarios in anticipation of the crossing's opening, including humanitarian aid delivery when developments allow. He said, "There is significant momentum and things are moving in the direction we hope for," adding that North Sinai is "ready, not just now, but has been prepared for the crossing's opening and coordinates with the crisis room in Cairo, which includes all sectors and state agencies, and has all the scenarios." The Egyptian official added, "We are 100% ready to allow aid in and receive the injured from Gaza." Israeli army radio reported that the crossing will open on Thursday, while the Jerusalem Post stated it would be open either Thursday or Sunday, with the "Walla" website and Channel 12 predicting it would open on Sunday. On Wednesday, nine European countries and Canada and Japan demanded that the Israeli government open all crossings with Gaza and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region in accordance with international law, as well as halt all demolition operations in the West Bank. This came in a statement issued by the foreign ministers of Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada, published on the British government website. Since May 2024, Israel has occupied the Palestinian side of the crossing, as part of a genocide campaign it began in Gaza, with American support, in October 2023, which lasted for two years. The Israeli massacre has left more than 71,000 Palestinian martyrs and over 171,000 injured, most of whom are children and women.