U.S. envoys press Israel to advance Gaza ceasefire’s next phase, with Rafah crossing in focus
U.S. envoys met with Israel’s prime minister to push the Gaza ceasefire into its second phase, centered on steps such as reopening Rafah and advancing discussions on monitoring and troop withdrawals.
TEL AVIV — Senior U.S. envoys met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington urged movement into the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire. The talks, described by officials familiar with the discussions, focused on practical steps intended to keep the deal from unraveling and to translate a fragile pause into a more durable framework.
A major signal of progress would be reopening the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. Ali Shaath, described as the head of a future technocratic administration expected to handle day-to-day governance, said the crossing would open in both directions in the coming week. Israel had not publicly confirmed the timeline and said it would weigh the matter in a cabinet meeting.
Egyptian officials framed Rafah’s reopening as central not only to movement of people and humanitarian coordination, but also to the start of large-scale reconstruction planning. In contacts reported by Egyptian authorities, diplomats discussed the second phase’s elements, including a possible international monitoring force and steps related to Israeli force posture in and around Gaza.
The ceasefire’s second phase is also linked to unresolved hostage-related issues. U.S. officials have pressed for progress on recovering the remains of the last Israeli hostage still believed to be in Gaza, a development seen as politically and symbolically pivotal to unlocking the next set of commitments.
The situation on the ground remained volatile. Local health authorities reported continued fatalities since the ceasefire began, and the Israeli military disputed some details while maintaining that its actions were directed at security threats. The disputed incidents underscored how quickly the arrangement could be destabilized by events near declared safe zones and aid routes.
For Washington, the diplomatic push reflects an effort to maintain momentum while regional actors debate Gaza’s governance, the mechanics of monitoring, and the sequencing of withdrawals and border operations. With cabinet deliberations expected soon, the next week could determine whether the ceasefire advances or stalls under renewed pressure.