U.S. envoys press Israel to advance Gaza ceasefire’s second phase and reopen Rafah

Diplomacy aimed at moving the ceasefire forward

Top U.S. envoys met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking momentum toward a second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. The talks reflect Washington’s push to convert an initial pause in fighting into a more durable framework, at a time when incidents on the ground continue to spark anger and fear inside Gaza and political pressure inside Israel.

The ceasefire arrangement was described as Trump-brokered, and U.S. officials are trying to keep the diplomatic process from stalling. A key element cited in discussions is the return of the remains of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili, which is presented as a condition tied to opening the next stage. Mediators and regional partners are also weighing how to sequence steps so that concessions by one side do not collapse before the other delivers.

Rafah crossing: a practical and symbolic hinge point

Reopening the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is being treated as a major milestone for a second phase. Egypt has backed an immediate reopening, arguing it is essential for humanitarian access, the movement of people in emergencies, and restoring a minimum level of normal commerce. For Gaza residents, Rafah also represents one of the few gateways that is not directly controlled by Israel, making it politically charged as well as logistically critical.

Officials have discussed deploying an international monitoring force and the possibility of an Israeli troop pullback in connection with reopening Rafah. Such monitoring would be meant to reassure all sides about security screening and compliance with the ceasefire terms, while also addressing fears that openings could be exploited by armed groups. These measures, however, would require agreement on mandates, personnel, and rules of engagement—details that have sunk previous proposals in other conflicts.

Competing narratives and continuing violence

Even as diplomats outline next steps, events on the ground complicate the picture. The same period included reports of an Israeli strike killing two Palestinian teens collecting firewood near what was described as a designated safe zone, fueling a new dispute over whether they were civilians or militants. Hamas, for its part, has said it provided mediators with all available information regarding the hostage’s remains and accused Israel of obstructing recovery operations.

Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported that more than 480 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10, a figure Israel contests. Regardless of the disputed counts, the persistence of deadly incidents underscores why negotiators see the second phase as urgent: without clear mechanisms for enforcement, access, and accountability, the ceasefire risks becoming a fragile pause rather than a pathway to a broader settlement.