Israeli authorities reopened the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings on the southern and central parts of their border with the Gaza Strip on Monday, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.
The two crossings were closed on Sunday after two Israeli soldiers were killed by gunfire from militants near the southern enclave city of Rafah that morning, the channel reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire and ordered the Israeli military to “take action.” The Israeli army then launched a series of strikes across the enclave, striking dozens of targets, before announcing on the evening of October 19 that it had restored the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Ynet portal, US President’s special envoy for peacekeeping missions, Stephen Whitaker, and US President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, arrived in Israel on Monday. According to the Axios portal, their visit will be dedicated to stabilizing the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and developing concrete steps to move to the next phase of the peace agreement between the parties.
Earlier, Axios and the Israeli state television Kan reported that Whitaker and Kushner were due to arrive in Israel this week. It was also noted that US Vice President J.D. Vance may join the American delegation. Later on Sunday, Vance confirmed that Washington would send a high-ranking representative to Israel “in the coming days” and did not rule out that it would be him.