Why won’t Egypt open the border with Gaza?

Egypt has closed its main border crossing point with the Gaza Strip amid tensions with the territory’s Hamas rulers. The Rafah border crossing, which is the only border point not controlled by Israel, was closed in August 2021, and it was the first time the crossing was shuttered during a workday since early that year.

The closure was connected to Cairo’s efforts to broker a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and it was not immediately clear how long the closure would last.

According to some officials, the move was meant to pressure Hamas because of the “differences” between Cairo and the group over the lack of progress in both the Egyptian-led, indirect talks with Israel and efforts to reconcile Palestinian factions.

Egypt’s policies regarding the border with Gaza have evolved over time, and there are several reasons why Egypt has maintained restrictions on the border. The Egyptian government is particularly concerned about the presence of Islamist extremist groups in the Sinai Peninsula, which borders Gaza, and their potential links with Hamas.

Egypt, like many other countries in the Middle East, has had a complex relationship with Hamas, the Palestinian organization that controls Gaza. While Hamas has received support from some quarters in the region, Egypt has at times been wary of its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist political organization that has been banned in Egypt.

Egypt is a signatory to international agreements and treaties, such as the Camp David Accords with Israel. These agreements have implications for Egypt’s relationship with Gaza and its ability to control the flow of goods and people across its border with the Palestinian territory.