Grieving father warns Rafah opening rewards Hamas, endangers Israel, and abandons fallen soldiers’ sacrifice..
Danny Steinberg, whose son Yehonatan Steinberg fell fighting Hamas terrorists on October 7, delivered a searing rebuke of plans to discuss reopening the Rafah Crossing as part of the next phase of a ceasefire with the Hamas.
Colonel Steinberg served as a commander in the Nahal Brigade and was killed after engaging terrorists during the massacre. His father, a member of the Hagvura Forum, accused Israel’s leadership of violating explicit promises made to the public and to bereaved families: to destroy Hamas and return all hostages.
“It’s simply unbelievable,” Steinberg said in a video statement. “The war cabinet is about to convene to discuss opening Rafah—before the first phase is even finished. Ran Gvili is still there. Hamas is still at full strength.”
Addressing Benjamin Netanyahu directly, Steinberg challenged the government’s claims of success. “You may have changed the Middle East on a macro level,” he said, “but have you changed anything about the citizens’ security? You promised the people of Israel—and us, the bereaved families—to defeat and dismantle Hamas. You promised to bring back every hostage. It is unthinkable that Ran Gvili remains in Gaza while you speak of ‘victory’ in quotation marks.”
Steinberg warned that reopening Rafah would directly undermine Israel’s war aims. “How does opening Rafah dismantle Hamas?” he asked. “How do continued ‘humanitarian’ supplies—when we all know where they go—dismantle Hamas? You promised Israeli security control, where only the Israel Defense Forces can protect our citizens. Keep your promises.”
For many Israelis, Steinberg’s words echo a broader concern: easing pressure on Hamas before it is destroyed risks rearming the enemy, endangering civilians, and hollowing out the sacrifices made on October 7. The demand from the families is stark and unwavering—no rewards for terror, no openings without total victory, and no deals that leave a single hostage behind.
