Israel Keeps Rafah Crossing Closed Amid Hostage Negotiations

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed “until further notice,” according to a statement from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. This announcement follows conflicting reports regarding the crossing’s reopening, with the Palestinian embassy in Egypt stating that it would reopen on Monday for individuals returning to Gaza. The closure continues to heighten pressure surrounding the remains of hostages held by Hamas.

Hostage Negotiations and Ceasefire Terms

Israel emphasized that any potential reopening of the Rafah crossing hinges on Hamas’s compliance with the ceasefire agreement, specifically its obligation to return the remains of all 28 deceased hostages. Earlier, Israel’s foreign ministry had indicated that the crossing might reopen as soon as Sunday. So far, Hamas has handed over the remains of 10 hostages and announced plans to deliver the remains of two more on Saturday night, although those individuals have not been publicly identified.

The handover of remains is a critical component of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, which aim to resolve the conflict that has persisted for over two years. Prior to the war, the Rafah crossing was the only entry point not controlled by Israel, but it has been closed since May 2024 when Israel took control of the Gaza side.

A fully operational Rafah crossing would significantly improve the ability of Gazans to access medical care, travel, and reconnect with family members residing in Egypt, where tens of thousands of Palestinians live. Families in Gaza are anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones. Iman Sakani, a mother whose son went missing during the conflict, expressed her grief: “Just like they took their captives, we want our captives. Bring me my son, bring all our kids back.”

Casualties and Humanitarian Concerns

As the situation develops, Israel has been returning bodies of Palestinians without names, identified only by numbers. Gaza’s Health Ministry is posting images of these remains online, hoping that families will come forward to identify their loved ones. On Saturday, Israel returned 15 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, increasing the total number returned to 135. Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 68,000, with thousands still reported missing, according to the Health Ministry.

The ministry, which operates under Hamas, does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its casualty figures. Nevertheless, its records are generally regarded as reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts, despite Israeli disputes over these numbers.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. As negotiations continue, Israel confirmed that the remains of a 10th hostage, identified as Eliyahu Margalit, were returned after being recovered from areas in southern Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he may support a resumption of military actions by Israel should Hamas fail to return the remains of all deceased hostages. Hamas claims that the recovery of remains is complicated by the devastation in Gaza and the presence of unexploded ordnance, asserting that some remains are located in areas controlled by Israeli forces.

The hostage support forum, which advocates for the families of those abducted, is set to continue its weekly rallies until all hostages are returned. “We will bring back all the deceased hostages!” declared Einav Zangauker, whose son was among the 20 living hostages released last week, at a rally in Tel Aviv.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Hamas has urged mediators to facilitate an increase in the flow of aid into Gaza, which is home to approximately 2 million people. Despite ongoing closures and Israeli restrictions on aid organizations, Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian chief, described vast parts of Gaza City as a “wasteland.”

Data from the U.N. indicates that a mere 339 trucks have been offloaded for distribution in Gaza since the ceasefire began, despite an agreement allowing for about 600 aid trucks to enter each day. On Thursday, COGAT, the Israeli body overseeing aid, reported that 950 trucks crossed into Gaza, including commercial deliveries.

Throughout the conflict, Israel has faced criticism for limiting aid to Gaza, at times completely halting it. International food security experts have declared a famine in Gaza City, with the U.N. confirming over 400 deaths attributed to malnutrition-related causes, including more than 100 children. Israel contends that it has permitted sufficient food supplies into Gaza, accusing Hamas of misappropriating much of the aid, an assertion denied by U.N. and other aid agencies.

While tensions remain high, Hamas has alleged that Israel continues its military operations, claiming that 38 Palestinians have died since the ceasefire began. There has been no immediate response from Israeli officials, who still control approximately half of Gaza. Recently, Gaza’s Civil Defense reported that nine individuals, including women and children, were killed when their vehicle was struck by Israeli fire in Gaza City, with the Israeli army stating that the vehicle posed an imminent threat.

As the search for the missing continues and negotiations unfold, the situation in Gaza remains precarious, marked by both humanitarian challenges and the ongoing quest for justice and closure for families affected by the conflict.