URGENT UPDATE: The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed indefinitely as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands that Hamas expedite the return of deceased hostage bodies. This announcement was made just moments ago, heightening tensions in the already fragile ceasefire agreement.
In a surprising turn, Netanyahu’s statement follows an earlier declaration from the Palestinian embassy in Egypt, which stated that the Rafah crossing would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza. However, the situation has rapidly evolved, with Hamas now indicating it will hand over two additional hostage bodies at 10 PM local time today. This brings the total to 12 out of 28 bodies that have been returned to Israel as part of a complex, US-brokered ceasefire deal reached last week.
The slow pace of body transfers underlines the precarious nature of the ceasefire, potentially jeopardizing the entire agreement. The hostage deal, which also saw Hamas release all 20 living Israeli hostages, involved a trade for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees held in Israel. Yet, Israeli officials are now expressing frustration over Hamas’s delays in returning the deceased, citing the ongoing search amidst the extensive destruction in Gaza.
The current standoff has significant implications for broader negotiations. As part of the hostage exchange deal, Israel is obligated to return 360 bodies of Palestinian militants for each deceased Israeli hostage. To date, Israel has transferred 15 bodies for every Israeli deceased body received.
The Rafah crossing has faced closures since May 2024, significantly disrupting humanitarian access. The ceasefire agreement also aims to increase aid to Gaza, where recent assessments indicate that hundreds of thousands of residents are suffering from severe food shortages. Since the ceasefire began, approximately 560 metric tons of food have been delivered daily, but this remains insufficient to meet the urgent needs of the population, according to the UN World Food Programme.
With the complexities of the ceasefire still unfolding, key questions remain regarding Hamas’s disarmament and the future governance of Gaza. Additionally, the establishment of an international stabilization force and the path toward a recognized Palestinian state still require resolution.
As tensions mount and developments continue, the world watches closely to see how the situation unfolds. Stay tuned for updates on this critical issue that affects countless lives in Gaza and Israel.
