Israel has announced that the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will reopen once the military completes its operation to locate the body of the last Israeli hostage, police officer Ran Gvili. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move will happen only after all Israeli hostages, living or deceased, held by Palestinian militants are returned. The Israeli army is conducting a targeted operation in northern Gaza to recover Gvili’s remains. Once the operation concludes, the crossing will open for pedestrians only, with strict Israeli inspection procedures. The decision comes amid the U.S. two‑phase peace plan that calls for Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza and handing administrative control to Hamas, while Israel plans to limit the number of Palestinians entering through Rafah to ensure more leave than enter. The reopening has been delayed from the earlier week‑long plan announced by Ali Shaath, head of a U.S.‑backed Palestinian transition committee.

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