Israel said Monday it would allow a limited reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, contingent on the recovery of the remains of the last Israeli hostage still held in the Palestinian territory, a move that could unlock the next phase of a fragile, U.S.-brokered cease-fire.
Rafah, Gaza’s most critical gateway for humanitarian aid and civilian movement, has been shuttered since Israeli forces seized control of the crossing earlier in the war.
Its reopening has long been a core demand of aid agencies and a central provision of the cease-fire framework announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in October.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the crossing would reopen for pedestrian passage only, and only after Israel completes its search for the remains of Ran Gvili, an Israeli police officer killed during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, incursion.
“Upon completion of this operation, and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the United States, Israel will open the Rafah Crossing,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement posted on X.
