Tents housing displaced Palestinians are erected on empty land near buildings destroyed by the Israeli military, in Gaza City. AFP
U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East adviser, met with Netanyahu, according to his office, which did not give details.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters the envoys had been working closely with Netanyahu on recovering the remains of the last captive in Gaza, and on the next steps for demilitarizing the territory.
The U.S. is anxious to keep the Trump-brokered deal moving, but Netanyahu claims he wants to wait until the remains of the Israeli police officer are returned.
Hamas said Wednesday it has already provided “all information” it has on the Israeli remains to ceasefire mediators, and accused Israel of obstructing search efforts in areas it occupies in Gaza.
The biggest signal of the second phase would be the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. Ali Shaath, the head of a future technocratic government in Gaza that is expected to run day-to-day affairs, said Thursday the border crossing will open in both directions this coming week. There was no confirmation from Israel, which said it would consider the matter this week. The crossing's Gaza side is currently under Israeli occupation army control.
Egypt pushes for Rafah crossing to open
Egypt’s top diplomat pressed for an immediate opening of the Rafah crossing with the director of Trump’s new Board of Peace in Gaza, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Saturday, including the ability of Palestinians to enter and exit the territory.
Foreign Minister Bader Abdelatty spoke by phone with Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza, the ministry said in a statement. They discussed the implementation of the ceasefire's second phase, including the deployment of an international monitoring force, the opening of the crossing in both directions and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip, the statement said.
The Egyptian minister said implementing the second phase is a “key entry point” to launch Gaza’s reconstruction. The statement didn’t say when the crossing will open for travelers and the evacuation of sick and wounded.
Israel is expected to discuss opening the Rafah crossing during Sunday's Cabinet meeting.
Hamas in a statement Saturday said a delegation met in Istanbul with the head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization about the ceasefire's second phase and “the fulfillment of the requirements of the first phase.”
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