Netanyahu makes surprise visit to southern Gaza, days before US Congress speech

Tensions over the compound have fuelled past rounds of violence.

Benjamin Netanyahu has visited Gaza (Abir Sultan/Pool/AP)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise visit to troops in southern Gaza on Thursday, his office said, days before his speech to the US Congress.

Mr Netanyahu’s visit to Rafah was announced hours after Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site, a move that could disrupt the delicate Gaza ceasefire talks.