The issue of reopening the Erez crossing is once again advancing to the forefront of the scene in Gaza, with Israeli security authorities beginning field work and preparations to open it to the entry of goods, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz denying knowledge of the step, at a time when the Israeli deputy ambassador to the United Nations had already set September 1 as a target date for opening the crossing.
According to a report by journalist Nitzan Shapira in “N12,” the Israeli security establishment is preparing to reopen the Erez crossing for the entry of goods only, in a step that is being pushed toward under American pressure and pressure from the “Peace Council.”
This comes less than 3 years after the events of October 7, at a time when Netanyahu and Katz were quick to deny reports about the opening of the crossing, confirming that they learned about the matter through what “N12” published, and they also issued directives to stop preparations related to the opening.
However, the report indicated that the Israeli Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations had announced, during a session of the UN Security Council yesterday, Thursday, that the Erez Crossing would be opened again, and set September 1 as a target date for the step.
In parallel, the Southern Command of the Israeli army began infrastructure work on the ground in recent days as part of preparations for opening the crossing.
The preparations included approving plans related to the routes that the trucks will take when entering and exiting through the Erez crossing, in addition to determining the locations of the forces that will protect these trucks.
In parallel, the Crossings Authority also worked to prepare the necessary infrastructure on the Israeli side of the crossing.
The report quoted a security source as saying that the parties that recently pushed for the conquest of Erez included the “Peace Council,” in addition to the Americans, including American elements present at the command headquarters in the city of Kiryat Gat.
A security discussion was also held on Thursday to address the issue of opening the crossing, where some participants supported the move while others opposed it, but the issue remained on the table, and the security establishment continued to prepare for it during the recent period.
“N12” had previously revealed that preparations are focused on reopening the crossing for the entry of goods only.
At this stage, final approval for the opening date has not yet been given, but the target date set was 1 September.
A senior Israeli official confirmed that the issue of opening the Erez Crossing was raised Thursday during an assessment of the situation by Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
But he said that the file, according to his account, was not presented to the Prime Minister or the Minister of Defense, and that Netanyahu and Katz issued instructions not to prepare to open the crossing after they learned of the matter from the “N12” report.
The official added that the head of the Military Intelligence Division and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories opposed the move.
In the same context, a security source told “N12” that the American request to open the crossing was put forward several months ago, as part of preparations for implementing the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan.
These preparations also came against the backdrop of increasing American pressure on Israel to move to the next stage in the Gaza Strip.
An Israeli official had told “N12” in recent weeks that “difficult talks” were taking place with the American administration regarding the continuation of the path.
In return, Israel continues to demand the disarmament of the Gaza Strip and the dismantling of Hamas as a condition for progressing to the next stage.
Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reiterated this position this week, saying: “In Gaza, we will not give up the highest goal, which is to disarm the Strip and disarm Hamas.”
Thus, the Erez Crossing issue reveals a clear gap between the preparations that have actually begun within the security establishment and the political denials issued by Netanyahu and Katz, while September 1 remains an proposed date under increasing American pressure to advance the process in Gaza to its next stage.
