URGENT UPDATE: The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed indefinitely, as confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier today. The closure is directly linked to a stalled hostage exchange, which requires Hamas to hand over the bodies of deceased hostages.
Netanyahu’s announcement follows conflicting reports about the crossing’s status. Just hours earlier, the Palestinian embassy in Egypt stated that Rafah would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza. However, Netanyahu clarified that it will not open until all aspects of the hostage situation are resolved, particularly the handover of bodies.
DEVELOPING: Hamas announced it will deliver two more deceased hostage bodies at 10:00 PM local time, bringing the total to 12 out of 28 bodies returned under a recent US-brokered ceasefire. This ceasefire deal, reached last week, saw Hamas release 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees currently held in Israeli prisons.
The ongoing dispute over these bodies highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire and raises concerns about its longevity. Israel has criticized Hamas for the slow pace of these transfers, arguing that the militant group has not acted swiftly enough to comply with the terms of the agreement.
Hamas claims that locating some bodies amid the extensive destruction in Gaza is a complex task, complicating the situation further. Under the current terms, Israel is obligated to return 360 bodies of Palestinian militants for each Israeli body received, yet it has only managed to return 15 bodies so far.
The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, exacerbating humanitarian challenges in Gaza. The ceasefire arrangement also includes provisions for increasing aid into the region, where the UN has determined that hundreds of thousands are facing famine conditions. Since July, aid flows have improved, but the UN World Food Programme reported that around 560 metric tons of food is still insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs.
The situation remains tense, with critical questions about Hamas’ disarmament and Gaza’s future governance still unresolved. The complexities of establishing an international stabilization force and moving towards a Palestinian state remain key obstacles to a lasting peace.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens and the hostage situation evolves, the international community watches closely. The developments at the Rafah border crossing and the broader implications of the hostage deal will be crucial in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates as this situation unfolds.
