Israel Prepares to Open Rafah Crossing According to Netanyahu and Trump Agreement

Israeli sources said that the relevant authorities in Israel have begun preparations to open the Rafah crossing according to an agreement between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, which stipulates opening the crossing from both sides following Netanyahu's return from Washington.

Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that American pressure to open the crossing continued in recent days, noting that the official announcement of its opening may be issued in the coming days.

It clarified that this step was planned as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement signed in October 2025, but it was postponed due to Israel's non-compliance at the time.

Israeli sources previously clarified that Netanyahu and Trump agreed during their meeting in Florida to open the crossing as part of a meeting that addressed issues in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran.

The website had reported, citing officials, that Netanyahu agreed during his meeting with Trump to move to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which includes disarming Hamas, while Trump pledged to allow Israel to take military action if the movement "fails to comply with the agreement".

Since May 2024, Israel has occupied the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, after destroying its buildings and preventing travel, causing a severe humanitarian crisis, especially for patients, particularly amid the genocide war it waged on the sector over two years.

For his part, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said during a tour in the Gaza Strip that his army is currently positioned on the "yellow line" which he considered new security borders and a base for launching rapid offensive operations, emphasizing that Israel "will not allow Hamas to rebuild its military capabilities".