Rafah border crossing to stay closed ‘until further notice’, says Israel

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed "until further notice," according to a statement from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The reopening of this crucial gateway is contingent upon Hamas returning the remains of all 28 dead hostages. This announcement follows a previous indication from the Palestinian embassy in Cairo that the crossing would reopen on Monday. Israel's foreign ministry had suggested that the crossing might reopen on Sunday, but the current situation has changed. In the context of ongoing negotiations, Hamas is pressing Israel to release prominent Palestinian prisoners as part of a deal related to the hostages. The Red Cross is currently heading to Gaza to retrieve another body of a deceased hostage, which would mark the return of the 16th body as part of the ceasefire agreement. The situation remains tense, with uncertainty surrounding whether disagreements over the list of Palestinian prisoners will affect the release of hostages within the agreed 72-hour timeframe. Additionally, the Israeli military confirmed the return of the body of a soldier killed in Gaza in 2014, after 11 years. A coffin containing the remains of a deceased hostage is also being transported to Israeli troops in Gaza. These developments highlight the ongoing military and humanitarian concerns in the region, as the Israeli foreign ministry announced the deportation of four Italian activists from the Gaza flotilla. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel is obligated to allow humanitarian aid from the United Nations into Gaza, emphasizing Israel's legal responsibilities amid the conflict. The UN humanitarian chief has urged Israel to open more crossings into Gaza, as reports indicate that Palestinians are stockpiling food due to fears of a potential collapse of the ceasefire. The humanitarian situation for civilians in Gaza remains precarious, with families facing separation and uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict.