Egypt, Gaza high representative discuss Rafah crossing reopening, Israeli withdrawal

CAIRO – 24 January 2026: Egypt and the newly designated high representative for Gaza discussed next steps related to the completion of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, including the reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions.

The crossing is expected to reopen in the coming days to allow the movement of Palestinians into and out of Gaza after months of Israeli blockade during a deadly war that pushed the enclave toward famine.

The reopening of the Rafah crossing is part of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which brought a ceasefire and a prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel since it was approved in October last year.

Meanwhile, Israel has pushed to reopen the crossing solely for Palestinians exiting Gaza, but Egypt immediately rejected the proposal, cautioning that it forms part of Israel’s plan to permanently displace residents of the enclave.

 

Second Phase of Peace Plan

Trump’s peace plan has now entered its second phase, which includes the establishment of a Board of Peace, headed by Trump, to oversee a technocratic committee responsible for managing daily life in Gaza.

Head of the Palestinian technocrats committee in Gaza Ali Shaath said on Thursday that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is expected to reopen in both directions next week.

Trump’s plan has included naming Nickolay Mladenov, the former UN Middle East envoy, as the high representative for Gaza.

Mladenov and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone conversation on Saturday to discuss ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the second phase of the peace plan.

Besides the anticipated reopening of the Rafah crossing, Abdelatty and Mladenov discussed the deployment of the international stabilization force (ISF) under Trump’s plan as well as the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

 

They highlight the impact of these measures on consolidating stability and creating conditions for the restoration of normal life in Gaza.

The foreign minister noted that completing the requirements of the second phase would serve as a key entry point for launching early recovery efforts in Gaza and initiating a comprehensive and phased approach for reconstruction based on the actual needs of the population.

Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for the mission of the technocratic committee, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

He underscored NCAG as a temporary transitional body tasked with managing the daily affairs of the strip’s residents, in preparation for the return of the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities in Gaza.

Unhindered Gaza Aid

Moreover, the minister stressed the importance of ensuring the unhindered and sustained entry of humanitarian and relief aid into the strip at a pace sufficient to meet urgent needs.

He also underscored the necessity of providing a safe operating environment for humanitarian organizations and guaranteeing the continuity of aid flows.

For his part, Mladenov praised President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s wisdom and Egypt’s pivotal role in supporting regional security and stability.

He also welcomed Egypt’s accession to the Board of Peace, describing it as a significant addition given Egypt’s political and diplomatic weight and its ability to contribute effectively during the current sensitive phase.