Netanyahu, US envoys discuss opening Rafah crossing: Israeli media

 Netanyahu, US envoys discuss opening Rafah crossing: Israeli media

 Steve Witkoff in left and President Donald Trump's son-in-Law Jared Kushner in right on the photo collected from Times of Israel

JERUSALEM, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt during talks in Jerusalem, Israeli media reported Sunday.

The reports came after a newly appointed administrator for Gaza said Thursday that the crossing would be operational in both directions next week.

Israeli news site Ynet reported, citing an unnamed Israeli official, that while the meeting between Netanyahu, Witkoff and Kushner was "positive", Witkoff pressed Israel to reopen Rafah even before Hamas returns the remains of the last Israeli hostage believed to be held in Gaza.

According to the official, Witkoff also raised the possibility of Turkey playing a role in Gaza's future.

"Witkoff pushed to bring our greatest rival, Turkey, to our border," the official was quoted as saying.

"The clock is ticking toward a confrontation with Turkey, which would pose a real threat to our security."

The official also accused Witkoff of acting on behalf of Doha, saying he had "become a lobbyist for Qatari interests", according to Ynet.

When asked to confirm the Israeli media reports, Shosh Bedrosian, spokeswoman for Netanyahu's office, told AFP that she would look into the matter.

Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected any Turkish role in post-war Gaza, despite US President Donald Trump having invited President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to join his so-called "Board of Peace".

Relations between Israel and Turkey have deteriorated since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 following the Hamas attack on Israel.

Reopening Rafah forms part of a Gaza truce framework announced by Trump in October, but the crossing has remained closed after Israeli forces took control of it during the war.

However, Ali Shaath, appointed to head a committee of 15 Palestinian technocrats tasked with overseeing Gaza's day-to-day administration, said at the World Economic Forum on Thursday that the gateway would reopen next week.

The crossing is a key entry point for humanitarian aid to Gaza's 2.2 million residents.

"For Palestinians in Gaza, Rafah is more than a gate, it is a lifeline and a symbol of opportunity," Shaath said.

Israeli officials are under pressure from the family of the last hostage whose remains are still in Gaza. Of the 251 people seized during the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 that triggered the war, only the body of Ran Gvili remains in the territory.

"We ask that the prime minister of Israel make clear to the respected American envoys that anyone who truly seeks to advance the rehabilitation of Gaza and peace in the Middle East must first and foremost bring Rani home," Gvili's family said in a statement ahead of Netanyahu's meeting with the US officials.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have discussed reopening the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, according to Israeli media reports.

The discussions took place amid renewed diplomatic efforts to stabilize Gaza following months of war. According to reports published on Sunday, Witkoff and Kushner urged Netanyahu to move forward with reopening the Rafah crossing as part of a broader truce framework.

Israeli news site Ynet, citing an unnamed Israeli official, said the meeting between Netanyahu, Witkoff and Kushner was described as “positive.” However, the report noted that Witkoff pressed Israel to reopen Rafah even before Hamas returns the remains of the last Israeli hostage believed to be held in Gaza.

The Rafah crossing, located on the border between Gaza and Egypt, is a critical gateway for humanitarian aid and movement of people. Israeli forces took control of the crossing during the war, and it has remained closed despite diplomatic efforts to reopen it. Reopening Rafah forms part of a Gaza truce framework announced in October by US President Donald Trump.

A newly appointed Gaza administrator said earlier that the crossing would become operational in both directions next week. Ali Shaath, who was selected to head a committee of 15 Palestinian technocrats overseeing Gaza’s day-to-day administration, made the announcement during remarks at the World Economic Forum. He emphasized the importance of Rafah for Gaza’s 2.2 million residents.

“For Palestinians in Gaza, Rafah is more than a gate, it is a lifeline and a symbol of opportunity,” Shaath said, underlining the crossing’s humanitarian and economic significance.

The Israeli official quoted by Ynet also said that Witkoff raised the possibility of Turkey playing a role in Gaza’s future governance or reconstruction. According to the report, this suggestion caused concern among Israeli officials.

“Witkoff pushed to bring our greatest rival, Turkey, to our border,” the unnamed official was quoted as saying. The official warned that tensions with Turkey could escalate, adding that “the clock is ticking toward a confrontation with Turkey, which would pose a real threat to our security.”

The official further accused Witkoff of acting in the interests of Qatar, claiming he had “become a lobbyist for Qatari interests.” These allegations have not been independently confirmed.

When asked to comment on the Israeli media reports, Shosh Bedrosian, spokeswoman for Netanyahu’s office, told AFP that she would look into the matter but did not immediately confirm or deny the details.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected any significant Turkish role in post-war Gaza. This stance remains firm despite President Donald Trump inviting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to join what Trump has referred to as a proposed “Board of Peace” aimed at shaping Gaza’s reconstruction and political future.

Relations between Israel and Turkey have deteriorated sharply since the Gaza war began in October 2023, following the Hamas attack on Israel. Diplomatic tensions and public disagreements have increased, complicating any discussion of Turkish involvement in Gaza.

The reopening of Rafah is also tied to sensitive negotiations surrounding Israeli hostages. Of the 251 people seized during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war, only the body of Ran Gvili is believed to remain in Gaza.

Israeli officials face growing pressure from Gvili’s family and segments of the public. Ahead of Netanyahu’s meeting with the US envoys, the family issued a statement urging the prime minister to prioritize bringing their loved one home.

“We ask that the prime minister of Israel make clear to the respected American envoys that anyone who truly seeks to advance the rehabilitation of Gaza and peace in the Middle East must first and foremost bring Rani home,” the family said.

The debate over Rafah highlights the complex balance between humanitarian needs, security concerns and diplomatic negotiations. For Gaza’s population, reopening the crossing would ease the flow of aid and potentially allow greater movement for medical care, education and commerce. For Israel, the decision is closely linked to security guarantees and the fate of remaining hostages.

As discussions continue, the future of the Rafah crossing remains uncertain. The talks in Jerusalem reflect broader international efforts to shape the post-war landscape in Gaza while addressing ongoing security and humanitarian challenges.