Politis

Gaza: Israel to Reopen Rafah Crossing After Completion of Investigation into Last Hostage

Published January 26, 2026, 16:17
Gaza: Israel to Reopen Rafah Crossing After Completion of Investigation into Last Hostage

Israel announced that it will reopen the Rafah crossing, the main border crossing into Gaza, after completing the operation to recover the body of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage to die in Gaza. The crossing had been closed since May 2024, following the Israeli incursion into the area, and its reopening was part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The Gvili family had requested the return of the body before the crossing reopened. This move comes under pressure from international mediators, who are trying to advance the implementation of the peace plan for Gaza, which includes the creation of a new Palestinian government and the reconstruction of the area. The reopening of the crossing will initially be limited, allowing only pedestrian passage under strict controls. The management of border crossings remains critical for the provision of humanitarian aid and the restoration of peace in Gaza, which has been in a deep humanitarian crisis since the start of the conflict in October 2023. The reopening of the Rafah crossing is considered an important step towards the smooth implementation of the ceasefire and the promotion of peace processes in the Gaza Strip.