CAIRO: Egypt has rejected an Israeli proposal for the two countries to coordinate to re-open the Rafah crossing between Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip, and to manage its future operation, two Egyptian security sources said.
Officials from Israeli security service Shin Bet presented the plan on a visit to Cairo on Wednesday, amid rising tension between the two countries following Israel’s military advance last week into Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by war have been sheltering.
The Rafah crossing has been a main conduit for humanitarian aid entering Gaza, and an exit point for medical evacuees from the territory, where a humanitarian crisis has deepened and some people are at risk of famine. Israel took operational control of the crossing and has said it will not compromise on preventing Hamas having any future role there.
The Israeli proposal included a mechanism for how to manage the crossing after an Israeli withdrawal, the security sources said. Egypt insists the crossing should be managed only by Palestinian authorities, they added.
An Israeli official who requested anonymity said the delegation traveled to Egypt “mainly to discuss matters around Rafah, given recent developments,” but declined to elaborate.
Egypt’s foreign press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Egypt and Israel have a long-standing peace treaty and security cooperation, but the relationship has come under strain during the Gaza war, especially since the Israeli advance around Rafah.
The two countries traded blame this week for the border crossing closure and resulting blockage of humanitarian relief.
Egypt says Rafah’s closure is due solely to the Israeli military operation. It has warned repeatedly that Israel’s offensive aims to empty out Gaza by pushing Palestinians into Egypt.
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said on Wednesday that Egypt had rejected an Israeli request to open Rafah to Gazan civilians who wish to flee.
The Israeli delegation also discussed stalled negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza during their Cairo visit, but did not convey any new messages, the Egyptian sources said. Egypt has been a mediator in the talks, along with Qatar and the United States.
Israel’s Gaza offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, with at least 82 killed on Tuesday in the highest single-day toll for weeks.
Hamas-led gunmen killed some 1,200 people and abducted 253 in their Oct. 7 raid into Israel, according to Israeli tallies.
Egypt rejects Israeli plans for Rafah crossing, sources say
https://arab.news/9thkn
Egypt rejects Israeli plans for Rafah crossing, sources say
- An Israeli official said a delegation traveled to Egypt amid rising tension between the two countries
760 schools reopen in Deir Ezzor, welcoming 261,000 students
- Authorities have also reported that more than 200,000 students returned to schools in Syria’s Raqqa province at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, underscoring the ongoing national momentum to resume education
DEIR EZZOR: The Syrian Arab Republic's Ministry of Education has announced the reopening of about 760 schools in Deir Ezzor province, marking a renewed focus on restoring education for more than 261,000 students after years of disruption.
The ministry said on Telegram on Saturday that the reopening was part of a broader strategy to rebuild the education system in the Syrian Arab Republic, provide a safe learning environment, and help students maintain regular studies.
Staff are working to equip schools with essential supplies and improve infrastructure through repairs and maintenance, all of which are part of a long-term plan to ensure safe and effective schooling and support educational improvement in Deir Ezzor.
Authorities have also reported that more than 200,000 students returned to schools in Syria’s Raqqa province at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, underscoring the ongoing national momentum to resume education.
Khalil Al-Ibrahim, Raqqa’s director of education, said during an inspection tour that urgent attention was being paid to addressing ongoing challenges, with continued focus on ensuring that classrooms operated without disruption.
Deputy Minister for Educational Affairs Youssef Annan recently reiterated that the ministry was monitoring school readiness and making ongoing improvements at the beginning of the new term, reinforcing the ministry’s priority of maintaining effective learning environments.
To facilitate rehabilitation and logistical support in the Syrian Jazira Region, the Ministry of Education extended the mid-year break and delayed the second semester to Feb. 1, ensuring schools were ready for a safe return.
This step followed the restoration of governmental control and was coordinated with the Syrian Democratic Forces, aiming at a unified national reopening which supported the goal of a comprehensive renewal in education.
