PM proposed opening Rafah crossing for 2-way traffic, Ben Gvir, Smotrich objected — report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed to ministers in his cabinet that Israel open the Rafah Crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt for entry and exit, but the suggestion was shot down by his far-right coalition partners, Channel 12 reports.

Israel said earlier this month that it was preparing to open the crossing for exit from Gaza into Egypt, but Cairo objected to that plan, fearing that it would lead to the displacement of Gazans from the Strip.

Channel 12 reported that yesterday, on the eve of his flight to meet with US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu proposed to a meeting of cabinet ministers that Israel allow two-way traffic via Rafah.

The network said Netanyahu framed the measure as a way of demonstrating to Trump that Israel is committed to advancing the ceasefire in Gaza. The terms of the ceasefire call for the crossing to open.

The second stage of the truce, which would establish longer-term security and governance structures for Gaza, and which Trump has said he wants to begin soon, is expected to be a central discussion topic when the two men meet this week.

But Netanyahu dropped the proposal after his far-right partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, led opposition to it in the meeting, Channel 12 reported.

The ministers who objected to the proposal reportedly demanded that Hamas first return the body of slain hostage Ran Gvili, the final captive held in Gaza, as per the terms of the ceasefire.

“There was political pressure and the decision to open the crossing was not made,” an Israeli official told Channel 12.