Washington has reportedly been pressing West Jerusalem to open the Rafah crossing between the enclave and Egypt
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said he has had “positive” discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on advancing the Washington-brokered 20-point peace plan. The talks come against the backdrop of continuing Israeli military operations in the Palestinian enclave despite the ceasefire.
Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner traveled to Israel immediately after the trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine talks held in the UAE over two days this week.
The talks with Netanyahu revolved around “the continued progress and implementation planning for Phase 2 of President Trump’s 20-Point Plan for Gaza,” the special envoy said in a brief statement on Sunday. The “positive” discussion also involved “broader regional issues,” Witkoff said without elaborating, apparently referring to ongoing tensions connected with Iran and the potentially looming American military action against the country.
The US delegation reportedly pressed the Israeli leadership to move on to Phase 2 of the peace plan, namely reopening the Rafah border crossing, linking the Palestinian enclave to Egypt. Israel has been reluctant to implement this step, attempting to tie it with the disarmament of Hamas, as well as the return of the body of the last deceased hostage, believed to be still held by the militant group.
Israel purportedly wants the population to be able to leave Gaza through the border crossing while limiting entries from Egypt, while the US insists it should operate freely in both directions as originally agreed. Washington’s approach has reportedly angered top Israeli officials, with some accusing Witkoff of acting as a “Qatari lobbyist” and playing into the hands of Türkiye, which has sought to represent Palestinian interests and Gaza in particular.
“We hope Ran Gvili is returned this week and we can go forward,” an unnamed Israeli official told Ynet news site, referring to the last deceased hostage.
The American visit came as hostilities continued in Gaza despite the ceasefire implemented under Phase 1 of Trump’s plan in early October. Gunfire and explosions were heard in the east throughout Sunday, multiple media reports indicated. At least three Palestinians were killed and four others injured, according to local health authorities.
