Conflicting news about the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Palestinians and Israelis
Published on 23/1/2026
Reports circulating about the imminent reopening of the Rafah crossing have sparked a wide wave of political and media reactions inside Israel, amid conflicting statements between Palestinian and international parties and official Israeli reservations regarding the future step.
The head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, Ali Shaath, announced that the Rafah crossing will be opened next week, considering this step a positive indication that the Gaza Strip is no longer completely closed off from the world and the future.
Shaath explained that reopening the crossing comes as part of a transitional path aimed at improving the daily living conditions of the population in the Strip, in addition to contributing to rebuilding institutions and restoring security and social order. He emphasized that the Rafah crossing represents a vital lifeline for Palestinians and a symbol of opportunity, future, and dignity, and that despite the challenges of the coming phase, credit is due to this step.
“Capitulation” from an Israeli perspective
For his part, the leader of the “Yisrael Beiteinu” party, Avigdor Lieberman, attacked the announcement of reopening the crossing, considering that what is happening represents a “capitulation” to the Palestinians. He wrote in a comment on social media platforms:
The opening of the Rafah crossing and the government of terrorists in suits has already begun operating in Gaza, while in Israel they pretend to be surprised and shocked. There are no surprises here; we said and warned that the government of October 7 continues to surrender to the Palestinians, a bad and weak government… leave.
By Lieberman
In the same context, Merav pointed out that the announcement by the head of the Gaza Executive Council, Nikolay Mladenov, about reaching an agreement to open the Rafah crossing contradicts the official Israeli position. She said:
It should be noted that Mladenov announced the Rafah agreement while Israel says that the cabinet still needs to discuss it. It should also be noted that Rafah is the gateway of two million Gazans to the world and is being equated with the return of one deceased hostage, and it was supposed to be opened already in the first phase.
By Merav
“Pay attention” to what is being plotted
Journalist Tal Schneider questioned the nature of the announced agreements, saying:
Pay attention, Mladenov says we have reached agreements on opening Rafah and adds in his post thanks to Israel. Agreements with whom did he agree? You will understand for yourselves. Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, can you read English? This means that your cabinet meeting on Sunday, as usual, is merely a formal procedure with no real value.
By Tal Schneider
Amir Dank, in her comment, pointed out that the war of October 7 led to the internationalization of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in a shift that contradicts Israeli policy since 1967. She said:
Perhaps we achieved a complete victory, and perhaps in the future we will return to war and occupy the Gaza Strip, and who knows what else will happen, but so far the war of October 7 has led to the internationalization of the conflict, which is completely contrary to Israel’s policy since 1967. I congratulate the right-wing government from the bottom of my heart on this remarkable achievement.
By Amir Dank
Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 12 quoted a political source as saying that the issue of reopening the Rafah crossing is still under discussion within the “cabinet,” alongside efforts to recover the body of Israeli Ran Gouri. The channel also quoted Gouri’s mother as saying that she had not been informed of any intention to open the crossing and expressing her rejection of this step.
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