Netanyahu and Defense Minister Deny Approval to Open Erez Crossing for Goods Despite National Security Council Report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Thursday that contrary to reports, there is no directive to open the Erez Crossing for goods into the Gaza Strip. This statement follows a report that the National Security Council (NSC), operating under the Prime Minister's Office, had approved advancing the opening of the crossing as part of a political initiative concerning Gaza. Netanyahu and Katz emphasized that Israel's policy remains unchanged: no reconstruction will occur before Hamas fully disarms and the Gaza Strip is demilitarized.

The NSC's recommendation to open the crossing was based on several factors: it could improve inspection capabilities for aid trucks entering Gaza without increasing the volume of goods, involve German observers contributing to the process, and ease conditions for Israeli communities near Gaza by reducing truck traffic on Route 232. The planned opening was set for September 1 to advance the second phase of Gaza's rehabilitation, despite Hamas not having disarmed.

Recent incidents involving incendiary balloons launched from Gaza into Israeli border communities have heightened tensions. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue operations in Gaza while maintaining the framework of the existing agreement. Defense Minister Katz has pledged significant measures to counter these attacks.

Meanwhile, Nikolay Mladenov, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the UN Security Council that Hamas and armed groups in Gaza have, for the first time, agreed to disarm and transfer security and civilian authority to a temporary UN-recognized administration. The UN is working to bring all parties to implement the 20-point agreement, which could lead to the disarmament of Hamas. Failure to do so may prompt Israel to act with international political backing. The Erez Crossing was closed to goods on October 7 and reopened in May 2024 solely for humanitarian aid, as part of the Trump administration's 20-point plan for Gaza's rehabilitation.