Israel Further disagreement over Rafah opening
According to media reports, Israel still has reservations about the announced opening of the border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The so-called security cabinet wants to discuss the issue this Sunday.
25.01.2026, 09:30
SDA
On Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the second phase of the Gaza peace plan with US envoy Steve Witkoff and the son-in-law and advisor to US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner.
The Rafah border crossing, which has been closed for almost a year, is considered Gaza's most important gateway to the world. Ali Shaath, chairman of the new Palestinian government of Gaza experts, announced the opening in both directions on Thursday. However, according to media reports, Israel is reluctant to open the crossing until the body of the last Israeli hostage in the Gaza Strip has been handed over as agreed.
Hundreds of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday evening for the return of the mortal remains of border policeman Ran Gvili. The then 24-year-old was killed in a Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023. The Israeli government had emphasized that it would not enter the next phase of the US peace plan for Gaza until the policeman's body had been returned to Israel.
