(Israel, 19th) Israel reiterated that the reopening of the Rafah crossing depends on Hamas returning the bodies of fallen hostages. Subsequently, Hamas returned two hostage bodies in Gaza.
According to Reuters and AFP, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said on Sunday (October 19), "Israel has received the bodies of two hostages via the Red Cross," and the bodies have been handed over to Israeli security forces in Gaza. Later, the two bodies will be sent to Israel's forensic center for identification.
A day earlier, the office said that whether the Rafah crossing would reopen depends on whether Hamas fulfills the obligations related to the ceasefire agreement, including returning hostages and victims' bodies, as well as implementing already agreed-upon terms.
Netanyahu also emphasized on the Israeli right-wing media "Channel 14": "The second phase (of the peace agreement) also includes disarming Hamas, or more precisely, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip after Hamas is stripped of weapons."
He added, "When this phase is smoothly completed—hopefully in an easy way, if not, then the hard way—the war will then be over."
The Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced earlier that day that the Rafah crossing connecting Gaza and Egypt would reopen on Monday (20th), allowing Palestinians living in Egypt to return to Gaza. However, on Thursday (16th), Israel stated that once the crossing reopens, only personnel will be permitted to pass; humanitarian aid supplies will not be allowed through.
The Israeli military took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing on May 7 last year, claiming that the facility was "being used for terrorist purposes" and expressing strong suspicion it was being used for arms smuggling. Since Israel took over, all movement through the crossing has been suspended, including that of United Nations personnel. As of January 19 this year, during the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Rafah crossing was briefly reopened.
According to Reuters and AFP, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said on Sunday (October 19), "Israel has received the bodies of two hostages via the Red Cross," and the bodies have been handed over to Israeli security forces in Gaza. Later, the two bodies will be sent to Israel's forensic center for identification.
A day earlier, the office said that whether the Rafah crossing would reopen depends on whether Hamas fulfills the obligations related to the ceasefire agreement, including returning hostages and victims' bodies, as well as implementing already agreed-upon terms.
Netanyahu also emphasized on the Israeli right-wing media "Channel 14": "The second phase (of the peace agreement) also includes disarming Hamas, or more precisely, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip after Hamas is stripped of weapons."
He added, "When this phase is smoothly completed—hopefully in an easy way, if not, then the hard way—the war will then be over."
The Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced earlier that day that the Rafah crossing connecting Gaza and Egypt would reopen on Monday (20th), allowing Palestinians living in Egypt to return to Gaza. However, on Thursday (16th), Israel stated that once the crossing reopens, only personnel will be permitted to pass; humanitarian aid supplies will not be allowed through.
The Israeli military took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing on May 7 last year, claiming that the facility was "being used for terrorist purposes" and expressing strong suspicion it was being used for arms smuggling. Since Israel took over, all movement through the crossing has been suspended, including that of United Nations personnel. As of January 19 this year, during the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Rafah crossing was briefly reopened.