Rafah Border to Remain Closed Until Hamas Hands Over Bodies, Says Israeli PM Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice. He also said that the decision to reopen it would depend on whether Hamas hands over the bodies of dead hostages.

Netanyahu's statement came shortly after the Palestinian Embassy in Egypt announced that the Rafah crossing would reopen for entry into Gaza from Monday. This crossing is the main route for the people of Gaza.

Hamas statement

Hamas said late Saturday that Netanyahu's decision "is a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement and negates the promises made to the mediators and guarantor parties." The organization also said that the continued closure of the Rafah crossing would prevent vital equipment and supplies from reaching Gaza, which would delay the search for hostages and bodies under the debris.

Israel's side

Israel said it found the bodies of two more hostages late Saturday. This means that so far 12 out of 28 dead bodies have been handed over to Israel under the US-brokered ceasefire and hostage agreement last week.

Israel alleges that Hamas is very slow in handing over the bodies. The controversy over the return of bodies shows that the ceasefire remains fragile and is likely to affect other issues included in US President Donald Trump's 20‑point plan to end the war.

Hamas's response

Hamas said it was taking time to find some of the bodies due to widespread destruction in Gaza. Under this agreement, Israel has to return 360 Palestinian bodies in exchange for the dead hostages. So far, Israel has returned 15 Palestinian bodies for every Israeli body. The Rafah border is closed most of the time through May 2024.