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Gaza: Israel to Reopen Rafah Crossing After Retrieving Last Hostage's Body

Published January 26, 2026, 15:12
Gaza: Israel to Reopen Rafah Crossing After Retrieving Last Hostage's Body

Israel announced that it will reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt after completing the operation to recover the body of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage in Gaza. The crossing had been closed since May 2024, following the Israeli incursion into the area. The Gvili family had requested the return of the body before the opening of the crossing, prioritizing his burial in Israel. The recovery of the body was carried out with the participation of specialized teams from the Israeli army. This move comes under pressure from international mediators, such as the United States, who are trying to promote the implementation of the peace plan for Gaza. The plan envisages the creation of a new Palestinian government and the reconstruction of the region, alongside the demilitarization of armed groups. The reopening of the Rafah crossing, initially only for pedestrians and under strict controls, is considered an important step towards implementing the ceasefire and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been in a severe humanitarian crisis since the start of the conflict in October 2023.