Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered that the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza remain closed “until further notice.” He stated that any reopening will depend on the “agreed plan” and the return of the bodies of deceased hostages.
According to his office, the reopening of the crossing “depends on how Hamas fulfills part of its commitments.” At present, the bodies of 18 deceased Israeli hostages remain in Gaza.
Earlier, the Palestinian Embassy in Egypt announced that the crossing might reopen on October 20, allowing Palestinians living in Egypt to return to Gaza. The border has largely remained closed since May 2024.
Sources say that reopening Rafah and the return of both living and deceased hostages are part of a peace framework agreed between Israel and Hamas. Hamas began returning the bodies on October 13, after releasing the last living captives. Among the dead are 15 Israelis, two Thai citizens, and one Tanzanian.
Hamas representatives noted that some bodies are still trapped under rubble, requiring additional time and specialized equipment to recover them. The process, therefore, is proceeding gradually.
The continued closure of the Rafah crossing has disrupted the lives of hundreds of families on both sides of the border. Freight movement is limited, and evacuations or reentries face major delays.
Netanyahu emphasized that any reopening decision will be based on security considerations and the implementation of agreed steps. For now, the situation remains unchanged: Rafah’s reopening depends on tangible progress and fulfillment of commitments.
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