Rafah border crossing set to reopen after Israel recovers last hostage remains

The critical Rafah border crossing is poised to reopen after Israel announced the recovery of the remains of the last Israeli held captive in the Gaza Strip. The return of the hostage's body removes a key condition set by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allowing the passage to resume, potentially easing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Condition met after prolonged negotiations

Israeli authorities stated on Monday that the body of Ran Gvili had been identified and returned for burial, concluding the process of repatriating all hostages known to have been held in Gaza. During intensive US-mediated talks over the weekend, Netanyahu had insisted on the return of this final captive as a prerequisite for reopening the Rafah crossing. Some Israeli media outlets interpreted this demand as a stalling tactic to delay the opening.

Pressure from the US and international community

The anticipated reopening, which could occur by this weekend, follows intense pressure from the United States and the broader international community. The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, had recently stated that Israel would soon have to open the Rafah passage. The Israeli Security Cabinet discussed the issue on Sunday evening, ultimately agreeing to proceed with a limited reopening in line with an understanding reached with Washington.

Hamas's role and the path forward

The Palestinian group Hamas had stated on Sunday that it provided mediators with all information regarding the location of Gvili's remains, noting that Israeli forces were searching the area based on intelligence from its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. The reopening of the Rafah crossing, a vital conduit for aid and movement, is seen as a crucial step for addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory.