TEHRAN – The scheduled opening of the Rafah border crossing on Sunday is another sign of the Israeli regime’s larger scheme. 

It shows how the Israeli occupation regime intends to handle the next stage, often called Phase Two, of the U.S.-led initiative for the Gaza Strip. 

The terms at Rafah allow people to leave more easily than they can return. This creates a one-way flow that could change Gaza’s population over time. 

More importantly, it sets a pattern where basic needs are used as bargaining chips, tied strictly to the Zionist regime’s security demands.

The reopening of the crossing follows two years of U.S.-backed genocide against the Palestinian population trapped inside the enclave. 

The Israeli regime’s core goal for Phase Two is clear: it wants Gaza to give up all its weapons before any other progress is made. This means discussions about rebuilding homes, lifting the blockade, or improving daily life would have to wait. 

From the regime’s view, this phase is purely about security, not politics. Several factors drive this approach. The regime’s political survival depends on appearing tough. The Israeli occupation forces are prepared to act if their terms are not met. 

While the United States prefers a plan that pairs reconstruction with security steps, it has not challenged the Israeli regime’s position.

This situation puts Palestinians in a difficult position. Accepting the regime’s terms means giving up their main form of leverage without guaranteed benefits in return. 

To change this, a new approach is needed. Palestinians could present a clear, unified plan that links security steps to political and economic improvements in a defined sequence. 

They could also work to highlight the difference between the U.S. vision for stability and the Zionist regime’s current actions, hoping to encourage stronger international diplomacy. Framing Gaza’s recovery as vital for wider regional stability might bring other nations into the discussion, making the process fairer.

The opening at Rafah is a preview. It indicates that the Israeli regime aims to use the next phase to reshape Gaza based solely on its security needs. 

The outcome will depend on whether the conversation can be steered toward a balanced agreement that addresses both safety and Palestinian rights, or if it becomes an instrument for one-sided control by the occupation.