U.S. envoys press Netanyahu on moving Gaza ceasefire into a second phase as Rafah reopening looms

Diplomacy centers on the ceasefire’s next stage

Senior U.S. envoys met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge movement into the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, a step that officials say would require major practical changes on the ground—especially the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The discussions came as mediators continued efforts to recover the remains of Ran Gvili, described as the last Israeli hostage still held in Gaza, and as negotiations turned to what post-war governance and security might look like.

According to reporting, Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, a top envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s Middle East adviser. The prime minister’s office did not provide detailed readouts of the session, but a U.S. official described the talks as focused on both the hostage-recovery track and the more politically fraught questions of demilitarization and next-step arrangements.

Rafah crossing seen as the biggest signal of phase two

Rafah’s status has become a key indicator of whether the ceasefire can advance. Ali Shaath, described as the head of a future technocratic government expected to manage day-to-day affairs in Gaza, said the crossing would reopen in both directions in the coming week. Israel, however, had not confirmed that timeline publicly, and officials indicated the matter would be considered in the government’s upcoming deliberations.

Egypt has emphasized that a phase-two shift should include both logistical moves—like opening Rafah—and broader security mechanisms. Egyptian officials, in discussions with international counterparts, have highlighted ideas such as deploying an international monitoring force and establishing sequencing for Israeli troop withdrawal. Those elements would be central to any attempt to make the ceasefire durable rather than temporary.

Violence continues despite the ceasefire framework

Even as negotiators discuss phase-two mechanics, violence has not fully ceased. Hospital authorities reported that two Palestinian teenagers were killed while collecting firewood, an incident that fed renewed arguments over who is being targeted and how safe zones are defined. Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported hundreds killed since the ceasefire began, figures that U.N. agencies and independent experts have often treated as broadly credible while Israel disputes aspects of the reporting.

The week ahead is expected to feature intensive follow-up: Israel’s cabinet is set to consider Rafah, mediators will continue work on hostage remains, and regional stakeholders will push for clearer commitments on monitoring and withdrawal. Whether the parties can align on a schedule—and enforce it—will determine if the ceasefire transitions into a larger political settlement or stalls under the weight of mistrust.