Israel to reopen Rafah crossing as hostage bodies returned

Israel is expected to reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, allowing a vital influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza for the first time in months.

The move comes amid a fragile ceasefire and growing urgency as displaced Palestinians return to the devastated territory in large numbers.

Hundreds of trucks poised at the border

According to the Egyptian Red Crescent, at least 400 aid trucks are ready to enter Gaza, carrying tonnes of food, medicine and supplies.

Humanitarian agencies hope this signals a significant increase in assistance, particularly for the north, where over 300,000 people have returned.

Ceasefire tensions nearly derail aid plans

Plans to reopen Rafah had been delayed after Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by stalling the return of hostage remains.

In response, Israel threatened to halve the number of aid trucks and keep Rafah shut. But hours later, Hamas handed over three more bodies to the Red Cross, helping ease tensions.

Hostage remains handed over, more expected

With the latest transfer, Hamas has now returned the bodies of eight hostages. Israel’s decision to reopen Rafah reportedly came after being informed that Hamas intends to return four more remains.

One of the latest bodies was not identified as a hostage, adding to the logistical complexities.

Aid deliveries still face significant

Despite the official reopening, it remains unclear how quickly aid trucks will clear border procedures.

Humanitarian officials say thousands of tonnes of aid are stockpiled but not moving fast enough, with parts of Gaza still inaccessible and severely damaged.

Infrastructure repair and limited movement allowed

KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, reported that heavy equipment for repairing Gaza’s shattered infrastructure will be allowed through.

Some Palestinians who left Gaza during the war will also be permitted to return, while others may exit through Rafah pending Israeli approval.

Gaza residents struggle with dire conditions

In Gaza City, the situation remains bleak. “There is almost no home that is safe,” said Amjad al-Shawa, a local NGO director. “So many streets are just full of rubble.”

He added that while residents are hopeful, significant changes have yet to be seen on the ground.

Rafah closed since May, famine declared in August

The Rafah crossing has been shut since Israel seized it in May 2024, leaving Israeli entry points as the only access to Gaza.

Aid deliveries have often been blocked, prompting accusations that Israel used starvation as a war tactic. A famine was officially declared in parts of Gaza just two months ago.

EU ready to step in with border assistance mission

The European Union announced readiness to deploy its long-standing EUBAM humanitarian mission to Rafah if security conditions improve.

Their involvement could help stabilise border operations and speed up the aid flow.

UNICEF: needs far outstrip incoming aid

Tess Ingram of UNICEF reported from southern Gaza that expectations for a scale-up in aid have fallen short. “There is not enough food.

People don’t know when they’ll next get water,” she said, noting that 45 nutrition clinics open in August have dwindled to just seven.

Ceasefire’s next phase remains unresolved

Future stages of the truce demand that Hamas disarm and relinquish control of Gaza. However, the group has resisted, instead cracking down internally to reassert its authority through public executions and confrontations with local clans.

Talks on governance and international peacekeeping remain ongoing.

Political backlash in Israel over aid plan

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, publicly condemned the aid deliveries, calling them a “disgrace” on social media.

His remarks underline the political challenges facing the ceasefire agreement and its long-term implementation.

Hostage families mourn, Red Cross urges patience

The Hostages Family Forum confirmed the identities of three hostages whose remains were returned: Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi. The Red Cross, overseeing the recovery process, said retrieving bodies from Gaza’s rubble is a massive undertaking that could take weeks.

This article is made and published by Edith Hejberg, which may have used AI in the preparation