Israel has announced that it will reopen the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt only after the body of the last Israeli hostage, Police Officer Ran Gvili, is recovered. The decision comes after the Israeli army began a targeted search in northern Gaza to locate the remains. While the Israeli cabinet said the crossing could reopen in both directions within the week, the reopening will depend on Israeli forces locating Gvili's body and ensuring full inspection procedures. The Palestinian technocratic government said the crossing would open for pedestrians, but the Egyptian authorities insist that the crossing must allow traffic in both directions. U.S. mediators, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, have urged both sides to move forward with a second phase of the peace plan. Netanyahu said the Israeli army is gathering intelligence on the body’s location and will proceed with reopening once the operation is finished. The family of Gvili remains adamant that the body must first be returned to Israel for burial. The situation highlights ongoing tensions at the Gaza‑Egypt border and the stalled humanitarian corridor.

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