The Rafah border, the only crossing between Gaza and Egypt, returned to the center of the dispute between Israel and the Palestinian authorities this Saturday, October 18, after contradictory versions about its reopening.
The Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced that the border post would reopen on Monday, but only to allow Palestinians to return to Gaza. The exit from the territory, according to the same source, would remain blocked.
Minutes later, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contradicted the information, stating that Rafah will remain closed “until further notice”, and that any decision will depend on how Hamas “fulfills its commitment to return all the bodies of the dead hostages”, reports the agency Associated Press.
The confusion arose after the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated, on Thursday, that the crossing could reopen as early as Sunday, one of the most awaited steps since the beginning of the fragile ceasefire.
A vital and symbolic point
Rafah is the only Gaza border that was not under Israeli control before the war and has been closed since May 2024, when Israel took over the Palestinian side. Its complete reopening would be crucial for thousands of Gazans to could travel and receive medical care in Egypt or reunite with family.
While diplomats discuss Rafah, rescue teams continue to search for bodies under the rubble. More than 68,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, and thousands remain missing, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The ministry, controlled by Hamas, does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its statistics, but the United Nations considers the records generally reliable. Israel disputes the numbers, without presenting an alternative count.
The conflict began in October 7, 2023when Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 251.
Hostage bodies and mutual accusations
Israel confirmed this Saturday that the remains of hostage Eliyahu Margalit, 76, had been identified. Margalit was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz during the initial attack and his remains were found in Khan Younis.
Margalit’s case adds to the delivery of 28 bodies of hostages by Hamas — one of the central points of the ceasefire agreement, which also includes the humanitarian aid entry and the political future of Gaza.
In return, Israel returned 15 Palestinian bodies to local authorities, bringing the total delivered since the start of the ceasefire to 135, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Ceasefire under tension
However, the Hamas accuses Israel of continuing attacks and violating the ceasefirestating that 38 Palestinians were killed since the agreement came into force. Israel has not officially responded, but maintains control over about half of the territory.
On Friday, nine people — including women and children — died when the vehicle they were traveling in was hit by Israeli fire in Gaza Cityaccording to local Civil Defense services. Israel claimed that it was a “suspicious vehicle” that crossed a military zone and that the shots were a warning.
Humanitarian aid less than promised
Hamas asks more aid and the complete lifting of the blockade. According to data from United Nationsjust 339 assistance trucks have been unloaded in Gaza since the beginning of the ceasefire, well below the 600 diaries provided for in the agreement.
I and FORCESthe Israeli entity responsible for coordinating aid, presented higher numbers — 950 trucks on Thursday e 716 on Wednesday — including commercial deliveries.
Despite international efforts, hunger continues to worsen: UN experts have already declared Widespread famine in Gaza Cityand more than 400 people, including 100 children, died from malnutrition-related causes.
Israel insists it allows enough food to enter and accuses Hamas of embezzling some of the aid.