Senior U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to advance the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

The White House confirmed their visit amid intensified international coordination on opening the Rafah border crossing and moving toward reconstruction and longer-term peace initiatives.

The meeting is expected to focus on substantive elements of the Trump-brokered Gaza agreement, including the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, humanitarian access, and steps toward implementing reconstruction plans under U.S. guidance.

Washington has stressed the opening of Rafah as a key indicator of progress before advancing to the next phase of the ceasefire deal, which also involves discussions on the disarmament of militant groups and broader governance arrangements.

Israeli media reported that U.S. representatives will emphasise coordination between Jerusalem and Washington on the reopening of border crossings, the status of returning the remains of the last Israeli hostage, and collaborative steps toward Gaza’s rehabilitation under the frameworks established at recent international forums.

Netanyahu’s government has engaged in a series of consultations with U.S. officials, underscoring the delicate status of negotiations and Israel’s security considerations.

The presence of Kushner, President Donald Trump’s Middle East adviser, alongside Witkoff highlights the sustained priority Washington places on consolidating the ceasefire and advancing diplomatic momentum for a stable post-conflict Gaza.

The discussions occur against the backdrop of broader international efforts, including initiatives linked to the so-called Board of Peace, aimed at fostering regional cooperation and long-term stability in the aftermath of the two-year conflict.