PM, Defense Minister deny any instruction exists to reopen Erez Border Crossing into Gaza Strip

There is "no instruction" to open the Erez Border Crossing for the transfer of goods into the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a joint statement released on Thursday afternoon.

"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," Netanyahu and Katz said.

This follows reports in Israeli media of plans to reopen the border crossing from September 1.

There are preparations to open the crossing on September 1, but it still requires final approval, sources from the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.