Report: Israeli, Palestinian Authority officials held secret meeting over Rafah crossing

Israeli, Palestinian Authority and US officials held a secret meeting last week to discuss the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza as part of a hostage and ceasefire deal, the Axios news site reports.

The report says it marks the first time that such a three-way meeting has been held since October 7, with cooperation with the PA a hot-button issue in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government.

According to Axios, the meeting was held in Tel Aviv and attended by US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and PA President Mahmoud Abbas’s top advisors Hussein al-Sheikh and director of intelligence Majed Faraj.

The report, citing three Israeli and US officials, says the Israelis stressed that Netanyahu was opposed to the direct involvement of the PA in running the Rafah crossing and urged the PA to send people in an unofficial capacity.

The PA refused.

The crossing has been closed since the Gazan side was captured by Israel, with Egypt refusing to reopen it until Palestinians are in charge.

The Axios report says reopening Rafah is a key step in implementing the first phase of a hostage-ceasefire deal currently being negotiated.

US officials also see it as a first step toward building a post-war governing structure that does not include Hamas and believe the PA should take up the Israeli suggestion to have its “foot in the door” of Gaza.

The White House, Shin Ben and the PA declined to comment on the report.