Israel to Reopen Rafah Crossing After Search for Captive’s Body Ends
Israel has said it will partially reopen Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt once the search for the body of the last remaining Israeli captive in Gaza concludes.
The announcement came late Sunday from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Palestinians across Gaza mourned at least three people killed in Israeli attacks during the day.
Limited Reopening Under Strict Conditions
According to Netanyahu’s office, the Rafah crossing—initially expected to open during the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire in October—will reopen in a limited manner.
Authorities said the crossing will allow the movement of people only, not goods. Officials also stressed that the decision depends on specific conditions.
Israel stated that reopening the crossing is conditional on the return of all living captives and on what it described as full cooperation by Hamas in locating and returning the bodies of all deceased captives.
Search for Last Remaining Captive Continues
All captives have been accounted for except the body of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili.
On Sunday, the Israeli military confirmed it was searching a cemetery in northern Gaza, close to the so-called yellow line, which marks areas under Israeli military control.
An Israeli military official said investigators are following several intelligence leads regarding Gvili’s possible location.
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