Netanyahu and Katz: no Erez goods reopening until Hamas is disarmed

Netanyahu and Katz: no Erez goods reopening until Hamas is disarmed

“By Patrick Lancier”

On Thursday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said there is no instruction to open the Erez Border Crossing for the transfer of goods, the Jerusalem Post reported. Israel’s policy in Gaza has not changed: there will be no reconstruction before the Hamas terrorist organization is disarmed and the Gaza Strip is fully demilitarized.

The joint statement: no goods through Erez

“There is no instruction to open the Erez Border Crossing for the transfer of goods,” Netanyahu and Katz said in a joint statement Thursday afternoon, according to the Jerusalem Post. The Times of Israel quotes the same line as “There is no directive to open the Erez Crossing for goods.” The wording is the same policy: the crossing is not open on anyone’s say-so but Jerusalem’s.

Israeli media had reported plans to reopen from 1 September. That is what the statement answers. Preparations are not an order.

Reconstruction only after Hamas is disarmed

“Israel’s policy in Gaza is clear and has not changed. There will be no reconstruction before the disarmament of the Hamas terrorist organization and the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip,” the two men said, the Jerusalem Post reports. The Times of Israel places that line in the second phase of President Trump’s Gaza plan: Hamas disarms, Israel withdraws further. Israel refuses withdrawals before Hamas is fully disarmed. Washington has pressed for movement on that phase. The Israeli condition stands.

Germany delivered a large cargo scanner on Friday for use at the crossing, the Times of Israel notes, citing Kan. A machine at the gate is not a political order to open the gate.

Preparations still need a final yes

Sources at the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories told the Jerusalem Post that preparations for a 1 September opening still need final approval. Israel’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Noa Furman, had said Wednesday that the crossing would reopen as an additional entry point for goods in September, alongside Kerem Shalom, the Times of Israel reports.

The Otef Israel Forum, which speaks for Gaza-border communities, said the messaging was mixed and asked Netanyahu and Katz to “stop misleading the public.” Residents, the forum added, “demand actions, not words.” The political line from Jerusalem is the one that stands: Erez and reconstruction wait on Hamas disarmament.

FAQ

Did Israel order Erez opened for goods?

No. Netanyahu and Katz said there is no instruction — no directive — to open the crossing for goods. Jerusalem Post, 27 August 2026; Times of Israel.

What is Israel’s condition?

No reconstruction before Hamas is disarmed and Gaza is fully demilitarized. The same statement. Israel also refuses further withdrawals before that disarmament. Times of Israel.

What about 1 September?

COGAT sources said preparations for that date still need final approval. Preparations are not an order. Jerusalem Post.

What did Washington want?

Progress on the second phase of President Trump’s Gaza plan: Hamas disarms, Israel withdraws further. Israel will not withdraw first. Times of Israel.

Sources

• Jerusalem Post, 27 August 2026 — joint Netanyahu-Katz statement; no instruction to open Erez for goods; no reconstruction before Hamas disarmament; COGAT: 1 September still needs approval; Otef Israel Forum.
• Times of Israel — no directive; Trump plan phase 2; Israel refuses withdrawals before full Hamas disarmament; German cargo scanner Friday; Furman at the UN.

“By Patrick Lancier”