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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to buy time before reopening the Rafah Border Crossing between Egypt and Gaza amid growing pressure from the United States, media reported.
Israeli media said Netanyahu agreed to reopen the Rafah crossing but linked the move to an Israeli military operation aimed at locating the remains of Israeli captive Ran Gvili.
A late-night statement from Netanyahu’s office said Israel accepted the partial reopening of the crossing for pedestrian traffic only, under full Israeli oversight, as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan. The statement said the crossing would reopen after the military operation concludes.
Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said it had shared information with mediators on the location of Gvili’s body. Israeli media reported that the Israeli army searched the Shujaiyya Cemetery based on that information.
Israeli Army Radio correspondent Doron Kadosh said the crossing would open once the operation ends, regardless of its outcome. The news site Walla described the move as an attempt to gain time.
According to Israeli Army Radio, departures from Gaza to Egypt will be handled by Gazan civilian personnel under European Union supervision, with Israel monitoring remotely.
Entries from Egypt into Gaza will involve two-stage security checks, including direct searches by Israeli forces.
Initial capacity is expected to be limited to a few hundred people per day.
Far-right ministers oppose reopening the crossing. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said reopening the crossing would be a “major mistake.”
U.S. officials said Washington views the reopening as an irreversible step expected by the end of the week.
Israel has kept the crossing closed since taking control of it in May 2024, with much of its infrastructure reported unusable due to Israeli attacks.
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