Israel to Partially Reopen Rafah Crossing after Recovering Last Hostage Remains
Israel announced on Monday it would allow a “limited reopening” of the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt once it recovered the remains of the last hostage in the Strip.
“As part of President Trump’s 20-point plan, Israel has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism,” the Office of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a statement.
The announcement followed Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Donald Trump’s top envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who visited Israel to push for the reopening of the Crossing, in line with the Gaza peace plan.
On Sunday, the Israeli military launched a “focused operation” to locate the remains of the last hostage, Ran Gvili – a demand that Israel has insisted on to move to phase two of Trump’s peace plan.
“The reopening of the crossing was conditioned upon the return of all living hostages and a 100% effort by Hamas to locate and return all deceased hostages,” Netanyahu’s Office said, emphasizing that once the operation is complete, “Israel will open the Rafah Crossing.”
Rafah Border Crossing is a crucial entry point for essential medical equipment, food and other supplies into Gaza. However, the Palestinian side of the crossing has been under Israeli military control since 2024.
Pressures have been mounting on Israel to reopen the Rafah Crossing to allow humanitarian convoys to enter the Strip. The head of the Palestinian technocratic committee (NCAG), Ali Shaath, said on Thursday that the border crossing will open in both directions next week.
