Netanyahu Denies Gaza Crossing Reopening, Links to Hamas Disarmament

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a joint statement on Thursday, refuting any announcements regarding the reopening of the Erez Crossing in the Gaza Strip. This statement follows previous claims by an Israeli security official suggesting the crossing would be opened on September 1st, initially for goods entering Gaza.

The Israeli leadership has tied the potential reopening of the crossing to the complete disarmament of Hamas. The statement further asserted that reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip will not commence until the territory is fully demilitarized. An Israeli security official reportedly informed Channel 12 of the regime that the request to reopen the crossing had originated from the United States.