Report: Sharp Disagreements Between the Occupation Army and the Shin Bet Regarding the Rafah Crossing

SadaNews - On Monday, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority revealed the behind-the-scenes of a stormy session of the Israeli security cabinet (the Kabinet), which witnessed sharp differences among security system leaders regarding the arrangements for inspections at the Rafah crossing.

According to the report, the point of contention centered around the "inspection mechanism"; the Shin Bet adopted a strict and tough security approach, while representatives of the Israeli army pushed for adopting more "flexible" procedures to facilitate operational and logistical activities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu settled the debate during the session by announcing his full support for the Shin Bet's position, addressing the head of the agency by saying: "I am with him.. implement it this way."

The report noted the absence of both the Chief of Staff of the occupation army, Herzi Halevi, and the head of the Mossad, David Barnea, from this session.

Earlier, Netanyahu's office announced that the Rafah crossing will be opened limitedly for individuals only within a framework of full Israeli supervision.

The office clarified that Israel will open the Rafah crossing in Gaza as soon as the process aimed at locating the body of hostage Ran Gvili is completed.

According to a statement from Netanyahu's office: "As part of President Trump's (U.S. President Donald Trump) 20-point plan, Israel agreed to partially reopen the Rafah crossing for pedestrians only, subject to a complete Israeli inspection mechanism."

It continued: "Israel conditioned the reopening of the crossing on the return of all live hostages and that Hamas makes every effort to locate and return all deceased hostages."

The Rafah crossing is one of the main crossings that connect Gaza to the outside world, and its reopening represents an important step in light of the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the sector.