Israel Opens New Border Site Near Gaza, Fueling Annexation Fears

Israeli Military Facility at Gaza Crossing Named After Zionist Anthem and Pro-Settler NGO

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened partially for a few Palestinians after an 18-month closure. The Israeli army has set up a checkpoint called Regavim in the area under its control outside the crossing for those entering Gaza from Egypt.

According to official Israeli military documents, the facility is now being referred to as part of the “Regavim Inspection Nekez” operation. Analysts say that the name and terminology used indicate a shift in Israel’s intentions at the crossing, from security control to population management.

The term “Regavim” has been linked to Zionist nostalgia and the early settlement movement in Israel. It is also associated with the Regavim Movement, a far-right NGO that has been instrumental in expanding Israeli control in the occupied West Bank.

In an official statement, the Israeli army announced the completion of the inspection operation, citing technical language as routine. However, analysts argue that the choice of words reveals a dual strategy: invoking Zionist nostalgia to claim land while using engineering terms to dehumanise Palestinian people.

The name “Regavim” has been interpreted by some as a deliberate ideological trigger intended to resonate with Israel’s far-right base. The term is also linked to the Zionist children’s song and poem Dunam Po Ve Dunam Sham, which celebrates the acquisition of land.

The Israeli military’s use of the term “Nekez”, meaning a drainage point or hydraulic term, has been seen as a further indication of its intentions. Analysts argue that this terminology suggests a focus on managing human populations rather than processing them as individuals.

The naming of the Rafah crossing Regavim and the use of Nekez have sparked concerns among analysts about the potential implications for Palestinian rights and the future of Israeli control in Gaza.

Source: Al Jazeera