Israel has agreed to a “limited reopening” of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt as part of President Trump’s peace plan for the region, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.
The opening will be limited only to pedestrian traffic and subject to Israeli inspection, Israeli government officials said Sunday.
“The reopening of the crossing was conditioned upon the return of all living hostages and a 100% effort by Hamas to locate and return all deceased hostages,” according to a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office.
Israel has been carrying out a search effort inside the Palestinian enclave for Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the final Israeli hostage. On Monday, Israel said the remains were recovered, the Associated Press reported.
The 24-year-old police officer was killed defending Kibbutz Alumim during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack into southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.
The Times of Israel reported that the search effort had been expected to last “several days,” with the reopening of Rafah expected by the end of the week.
“Upon completion of this operation, and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the U.S., Israel will reopen the Rafah crossing,” Mr. Netanyahu’s office said Sunday. “The State of Israel is committed to the return of Israeli hero Master Sgt. Ran Gvili and will spare no effort to bring him home for a proper Jewish burial.”
The Rafah crossing is the primary conduit for international aid to enter the Gaza Strip, particularly for essential supplies like fuel and food. It is also the main route for Palestinians in Gaza needing to travel to Egypt for medical, personal, or educational reasons.
Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, has said that the U.S. expects Hamas to “comply fully with its obligations,” including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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