Israel to Reopen Gaza's Rafah Crossing After Recovery Operation

Wed Feb 04 2026 04:56:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Israel announced the reopening of the Rafah border crossing after a military operation aimed at retrieving the remains of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza is completed. This decision follows a tense situation regarding hostages and border access.

Following the completion of efforts to recover the body of the last Israeli hostage from Gaza, Israel has agreed to reopen the Rafah border crossing, primarily used for humanitarian transit. This development comes amidst ongoing recovery operations and negotiations in the region aimed at stabilizing the situation post-conflict.

Israel has announced its plan to reopen the Rafah border crossing to Gaza, contingent upon the successful recovery of the remains of the last Israeli hostage, Master Sgt Ran Gvili. This operation has been ongoing, as authorities search for his body in northern Gaza.

The Rafah crossing, which has been largely closed since May 2024, plays a vital role in humanitarian access between Gaza and Egypt. The decision to reopen the crossing was linked to the condition that Hamas takes necessary steps to return Gvili's remains. Israeli forces initiated a new search on Sunday, targeting areas around Gaza City.

While the reopening is anticipated, specifics regarding the timeline remain uncertain as the search operation could extend over several days. Israeli military officials have reported the involvement of specialized units and tools to assist in locating Gvili's remains, who was killed during a Hamas-led attack in October 2023.

In related developments, discussions involving US mediators highlight ongoing diplomatic efforts to advance peace plans in the region, with prospects for opening movement at Rafah in both directions. The statement from Israel’s Prime Minister’s office confirmed a limited reopening for pedestrian passage, subject to Israeli inspections at the crossing.

As negotiations and recovery efforts continue, the situation at the Rafah crossing remains a focal point of humanitarian concern and regional stability.