Netanyahu agrees to partial reopening of Gaza crossing, overruling his ministers

Following pressure from the Trump administration, Netanyahu announces partial reopening of the Rafah crossing into Gaza despite outrage from his own government.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel will partially reopen the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced overnight.

In a statement issued following a security cabinet meeting Sunday evening, the Prime Minister’s Office said that Israel is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Trump administration’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.

This includes the reopening of the Rafah crossing, the PMO said, while adding that the reopening was contingent on Hamas’ return of all hostages held in Gaza.

With the remains of Ran Gvili yet to be located, Israel has hitherto refused to open the Rafah crossing to incoming traffic.

The PMO said that Israel will reopen the Rafah crossing once Gvili’s remains are found, or after all intelligence on his possible whereabouts has been “exhausted.”

“As part of President Trump’s 20-point plan, Israel has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism,” Netanyahu’s office said.

“The reopening of the crossing was conditioned upon the return of all living hostages and a 100% effort by Hamas to locate and return all deceased hostages.”

“The IDF is currently conducting a focused operation to exhaust all of the intelligence that has been gathered in the effort to locate and return the fallen hostage, Master-Sgt. Ran Gvili, of blessed memory. Upon completion of this operation, and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the US, Israel will open the Rafah crossing.”

Israeli forces in Gaza reportedly searched a cemetery for Gvili’s remains, while drone aircraft have been spotted over the search area.

Government ministers in the security cabinet railed against the decision Sunday night to announce plans to open the Rafah crossing.

Netanyahu sought to placate the ministers, emphasizing that the reopening would only take place after the searches for Gvili’s remains are completed, that Israel will retain security control, and that only pedestrian traffic will be permitted.

The Prime Minister also reminded security cabinet members that Israel had already committed in October to reopening the crossing.

Criticism of the move came from members representing multiple parties, including Netanyahu’s own Likud, with Transportation Minister Miri Regev (Likud) warning that the reopening of the Rafah crossing could ultimately weaken Israeli control in Gaza.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionist Party) said that Israel could lose control of Gaza under the Trump plan, leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) echoed these concerns, while criticizing Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

“We have done great things, like killing tens of thousands of terrorists, but we have still not completely destroyed Hamas, and we must dismantle and demilitarize it. Enough with the naivety of Kushner and Witkoff — if the Rafah crossing is opened, it will be a huge mistake and a very bad message.”