The Border 'Reopening' That Never Was
FIRST INSTANCE: The 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access The initial framework for Rafah's operation was the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA), signed following Israel's disengagement from Gaza. This agreement, mediated by then-US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, was ostensibly designed to facilitate Palestinian movement and economic activity. However, even then, the fine print
granted Israel significant control, including the right to veto goods and monitor passage. The border closed just months later after Hamas won the 2006 elections, marking the beginning of a near-total blockade. REPETITIONS: The Cycle of 'Temporary' Openings and Perpetual Closure The pattern solidified in the years that followed: 2012: The Morsi Interlude. Following the election of Mohammed Morsi
in Egypt, there was a brief, relative easing at Rafah. For several months, the crossing operated without full coordination with Israel, allowing for increased passage of goods and people. This period, however, was an anomaly, contingent on a specific political alignment in Cairo, and rapidly reversed after his overthrow in 2013 by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. 2014: 'Reopening' amidst Devastation. After
the devastating 2014 Gaza War, UN reports highlighted a humanitarian crisis. In response, Egypt announced a 'reopening' of Rafah for humanitarian cases. Yet, OCHA data for 2014-2015 shows that the crossing was open for an average of just 7-10 days per month, primarily for medical patients and permit holders, providing minimal relief for a population of 1.8 million. 2018: A 'Permanent' Opening That