U.S. Envoys Urge Netanyahu to Enter Gaza Ceasefire Second Phase

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge moving into the second phase of the Oct. 10 ceasefire and pressed for reopening the Rafah crossing, according to the prime minister's office.

The ceasefire's second phase matters because reopening Rafah and demilitarizing Gaza hinge on the return of the remains of the last hostage, Ran Gvili, whose family said Hamas is refusing to comply with the deal.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Bader Abdelatty pressed for an immediate opening of the Rafah crossing and discussed deployment of an international monitoring force with Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.

Since the Oct. 10 ceasefire, Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 480 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and hospitals reported two teens, aged 13 and 15, were killed in an Israeli strike, a figure Israel disputes.

Israel is expected to discuss opening the Rafah crossing at an upcoming Cabinet meeting and has not confirmed when the crossing will open for travelers or the evacuation of sick and wounded.