Israel has stated that its military is conducting a 'large-scale operation' to locate the remains of the last hostage in Gaza, Ran Gvili, and will only reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt once this mission is completed. The announcement came as Israel's cabinet discussed the border's reopening, following pressure from US envoys who urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to open the vital aid entry point.
The return of Gvili's body is seen as the final obstacle to opening the Rafah crossing and beginning the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire. Israel had conditioned the reopening on the return of all living hostages and a '100% effort' by Hamas to locate deceased hostages' bodies. All have been returned except for Gvili, a police officer.
Netanyahu's office confirmed the search operation, stating that once it is 'exhausted', the crossing will open. The Gaza side of Rafah has been under Israeli military control since 2024. On Thursday, Ali Shaath, head of a US-backed transitional Palestinian committee, said the crossing would open this week.
Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported that its shuttered headquarters in East Jerusalem was set ablaze overnight, with Israeli settlers observed looting furniture. UNRWA's commissioner-general condemned the incident as an attack on the UN. The agency's operations have been curtailed since Israel passed legislation banning it from functioning in areas it defines as Israel.
