Did Israel coordinate with Egypt before reoccupying the crossing?
As the Israeli army announced it had seized control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, questions have been raised about whether Israel has violated key agreements with Egypt and what level of coordination might have taken place with Cairo.
It is unclear whether any coordination took place prior to Tuesday's occupation of the crossing, which essentially gives Israel control of the Philadelphi Corridor, the 14-km long, 100-metre-wide demilitarised buffer zone along the entire border between Gaza and Egypt.
An Egyptian military source told Middle East Eye that Egypt has not authorised the Rafah crossing operation.
"There is no operational coordination regarding the occupation of Rafah," the source said on condition of anonymity. "However, officials from the Egyptian and Israeli military maintain constant contact to ensure the strategic security of both sides."
The source added that Cairo views the invasion of Rafah crossing as a "serious escalation but not a surprise".
"This military action jeopardises the entry of aid to one million Palestinians, as the Rafah crossing is the safest and most well-structured route for food and water delivery to Gaza," the source said.
Read more: Did Israel coordinate with Egypt before reoccupying the crossing?
