Israel says Rafah crossing to open after search for last captive body ends

Netanyahu’s office says the Gaza border crossing with Egypt will reopen only after search for soldier Ran Gvili’s remains is over.Published On 25 Jan 2026|Updated: 19 minutes agoIsrael ‍will reopen Gaza’s Rafah crossing with ⁠Egypt ​for the ‍passage of people only ‍after an operation ⁠to locate the body of the ​last ‌remaining Israeli captive in the war-ravaged enclave is ‌completed, ‌Prime Minister ⁠Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says.In a statement late on Sunday, Netanyahu’s office said the “opening of the crossing is conditioned on the return of all living [captives] and the execution of 100 percent effort on the part of Hamas to locate and return all deceased [captives]”.Recommended Stories list of 1 itemlist 1 of 1Gaza’s tent life between illness and daily despairend of listEarlier on Sunday, Hamas said it has handed over the location of the remains of Israeli soldier Ran Gvili, the last captive in Gaza, as the second stage of the ceasefire began in Gaza.In a statement, a spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said the group handed over the location of Gvili’s remains with “absolute transparency”, and that it “fulfilled all our obligations in accordance with the ceasefire agreement”.“We are fully committed to closing this file permanently and have no interest in procrastination. This stance is rooted in our concern for the interests of our people. Working under complex and nearly impossible conditions, we have successfully recovered and handed over the remains of the enemy’s prisoners with the full knowledge of the mediators,” Abu Obeida said.“We call upon these mediators to uphold their responsibilities and compel the [Israeli] occupation to implement what has been agreed upon.”Netanyahu’s office said a largescale operation was under way at a cemetery in northern Gaza to find the remains. “This effort will continue for as long as necessary,” the office added.