Israel has announced a large-scale military operation in Gaza to locate the body of the last hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, and stated that the Rafah crossing with Egypt will only reopen once the mission is completed. The crossing's reopening is a key component of the US-brokered ceasefire, which has been stalled over the hostage issue.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the operation, saying it aims to exhaust all gathered intelligence to recover Gvili's remains. The search is focused on a cemetery in northern Gaza near the 'yellow line,' with dental experts and rabbis assisting specialised teams. All other hostages, living and deceased, have been returned.
Hamas has accused Israel of obstructing search efforts, claiming it has provided all available information about Gvili's remains. The demand for Gvili's return has been the primary obstacle to entering the ceasefire's second phase, which the Trump administration has declared is already under way.
Separately, the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem was set ablaze overnight, days after Israeli bulldozers damaged parts of the compound. UNRWA officials reported looting by Israeli settlers and condemned the incident as an attack on the UN. The agency's operations have been curtailed since Israel's Knesset passed legislation banning its activities in Israeli territory.
