Israel Maintains Closure of Rafah Crossing Amid Hostage Negotiations

On Saturday evening, the Israeli government confirmed that the Rafah crossing, the sole access point for people and goods between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, would remain closed. This decision comes as Israel links the reopening of the crossing to Hamas's return of the bodies of hostages taken during the attacks on October 7, 2023. These hostages are believed to have died while in captivity. Rafah has historically been the only crossing not controlled by Israel, which oversees all other land and sea access points to Gaza. However, since May 2024, the Rafah crossing has been effectively shut, due to ongoing Israeli military operations and occupation, with limited usage permitted only under rare circumstances. Originally, the Israeli government planned to reopen the Rafah crossing on October 19, but this decision was rescinded after Hamas did not return all the required bodies. The situation remains murky regarding the criteria for reopening the crossing and the individuals who would be allowed to utilize it. The return of the hostages' bodies is crucial as it forms part of the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the United States, which was enacted the prior week. So far, Hamas has returned only 9 out of 28 hostages, with two additional bodies handed over on Friday that are currently undergoing identification processes by Israel. Hamas claims that recovering all bodies is compounded by the destruction from Israeli attacks and the presence of unexploded ordnance in the region. The reopening of Rafah is essential for the Palestinian population, as it would facilitate a necessary influx of food and essential provisions into Gaza. Additionally, it would create opportunities for Palestinians to travel to Egypt for medical treatment or to reunite with their families, many of whom have faced prolonged separation. Prior to the Israeli occupation, the Rafah crossing was already plagued by restrictions, complicating the movement of people. Humanitarian aid primarily flowed through the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is Israeli-controlled, a few kilometers south of Rafah. The ongoing Israeli invasion into Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with restrictions hindering the entry of food and necessities, leading to widespread famine. Although humanitarian aid deliveries have marginally increased since the agreement was formed, they remain woefully inadequate in meeting the needs of the population. Despite the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that followed the agreement, violations have persisted, including incidents where the Israeli military has reportedly killed eleven Palestinians, alongside ongoing clashes in the Rafah region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2