Ten Key Reasons Why Israel’s Security Depends on Supreme Vigilance at the Rafah Crossing and the Southern Border with Egypt, Closing the Smuggling Bath that Empowered Hamas and Keep It Armed.

1. Preventing Terrorist Infiltration from Sinai
   The Gaza-Egypt border, particularly the Rafah crossing, is a critical point of entry for potential terrorists. The Sinai Peninsula, a known hub for jihadist activity, harbors extremist groups like ISIS and other militants who could exploit this route to infiltrate Gaza and ultimately Israel. Without stringent Israeli oversight, these terrorists could use the Rafah crossing to enter Israel, launching attacks on civilians and military targets. Vigilant control over this border is crucial for intercepting such threats before they can cause harm.
2. Stopping Weapons Smuggling into Gaza
   The Rafah crossing has historically been a major route for smuggling weapons into Gaza. According to intelligence reports, despite official policies against it, there has been a significant flow of arms facilitated by tunnels running under the Gaza-Egypt border. This smuggling is often conducted with a blind eye turned by Egyptian authorities, enabling Hamas and other terrorist groups to acquire rockets, explosives, and other military equipment. By maintaining control over the border, Israel disrupts these supply lines, directly limiting the offensive capabilities of terrorist organizations and protecting Israeli communities from attacks.
3. Preventing Hostage Transfers and Cross-Border Abductions
   Controlling the Gaza-Egypt border is vital to preventing the movement of hostages into Egypt via the Sinai Peninsula. Reports indicate that tunnels and illicit routes have been used not only for smuggling goods but also for moving people. Hostages transferred into the vast and lawless Sinai would be harder to locate and rescue, diminishing Israel’s ability to secure their safe return. Israeli border control helps keep hostages within operational reach, increasing the chances of successful rescue missions and maintaining leverage in negotiations.
4. Controlling Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration
   The Gaza-Egypt border is a known route for human trafficking and illegal migration. Egypt has been accused of allowing human trafficking networks to operate within its borders, with many refugees and migrants using the Rafah crossing to attempt illegal entry into Israel. Without proper oversight, these routes could become channels for human rights abuses and uncontrolled migration, leading to potential security threats and a humanitarian crisis. Israeli control helps ensure that only authorized crossings occur, safeguarding against exploitation and illegal entry.
5. Interdicting Drug Smuggling
   Drug smuggling through the Rafah crossing has significant security and societal implications. Sinai-based smugglers, with the implicit support of local authorities, move drugs into Gaza and then into Israel. These operations fund terrorism and organized crime, increasing crime rates and addiction issues within Israel. By securing the Gaza-Egypt border, Israel disrupts these smuggling routes, weakening the financial base of criminal organizations and terrorist networks, and reducing the societal harm caused by drug trafficking.
6. Monitoring and Containing Militant Activity in Sinai
   The Sinai Peninsula has been a hotbed of insurgent and terrorist activity, making the Gaza-Egypt border a crucial monitoring point. Despite Egyptian military efforts, militant activity persists, with local groups often cooperating with Gaza-based terrorists. A secure border allows Israel to gather critical intelligence on movements and activities of these militants, ensuring preemptive actions can be taken to prevent cross-border attacks and infiltration, thus protecting both Israeli and Egyptian security interests.
7. Securing Infrastructure and Supply Lines
   The border region is home to critical infrastructure, including natural gas pipelines and trade routes that are potential targets for terrorist attacks. Reports have surfaced of attacks on pipelines within Sinai, highlighting the risk to energy supplies. Control over the Gaza-Egypt border is essential for protecting these strategic assets, ensuring the stability of energy supply, and safeguarding Israel’s economic interests from disruptions caused by militant activities.
8. Maintaining Economic Stability and Trade Security
   The Rafah crossing impacts both Gaza’s and Israel’s economies. A secure border ensures that legitimate trade can occur while preventing illegal activities that could destabilize the region. Israel’s control over this border allows it to regulate the flow of goods and people, thus ensuring economic stability and fostering conditions conducive to peace and development. Without control, illicit trade could flourish, undermining both economic and security interests.
9. Preventing the Spread of Regional Conflict
   The Gaza-Egypt border, if left unsecured, could serve as a gateway for regional instability. Evidence suggests that arms and militants often transit through Sinai, contributing to conflicts in Gaza and potentially drawing Egypt further into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By maintaining control over the border, Israel helps contain these conflicts within manageable boundaries, reducing the risk of broader regional escalation and promoting a more stable environment.
10. Protecting Bargaining Position and Diplomatic Leverage
    Israel’s control over the Gaza-Egypt border is essential not only for immediate security concerns but also for maintaining a strong bargaining position in negotiations. The Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip along the Gaza-Egypt border, represents a strategic asset. By holding this corridor, Israel can negotiate from a position of strength, even if there is a readiness to withdraw under certain conditions. Effective control over this area underscores Israel’s capacity to demand strict security guarantees and counter-smuggling measures before any withdrawal, thereby ensuring that any concession does not compromise national security.