The Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt officially reopened on Monday for limited pedestrian movement, following its extensive closure since May 2024. This development coincided with the recovery and identification of the remains of Ran Gvili, identified as the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza. The reopening is a provision of the ongoing U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which has also seen recent updates to reported casualty figures in Gaza from various sources.
Recovery of Last Hostage's Remains
Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old Israeli police officer, was killed in Kibbutz Alumim during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and his body was subsequently taken into Gaza. An extensive search operation for Gvili's remains was conducted by the Israeli military in northern Gaza, specifically in a cemetery in Gaza City's Shejaiya and Daraj Tuffah areas, based on intelligence information. Hamas's military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, stated it had provided mediators with available information regarding the location of Gvili's body.
On Monday, his remains were recovered and formally identified by the National Forensics Centre in Tel Aviv. Gvili was posthumously promoted to First Sergeant. His burial took place in his hometown of Meitar, marking the return of the last hostage held in Gaza, a situation not observed since 2014. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel had fulfilled its promise to return all hostages. Gvili's family had previously expressed opposition to the reopening of the Rafah crossing prior to the return of his body.
Rafah Border Crossing Reopens
The Rafah crossing, Gaza's primary direct exit point to Egypt, had been largely closed since Israeli forces seized the Palestinian side in May 2024. It had briefly opened for medical patient evacuations during a ceasefire in early 2025. Israel's agreement to reopen the crossing was contingent upon the completion of the operation to retrieve Gvili's remains, as per agreements made with the United States.
Preparations for the crossing's reopening were observed on Sunday, and it officially reopened for limited pedestrian traffic on Monday.
Operational Details and Challenges
- Scope: Initially, the crossing is designated for pedestrian passage only, with no goods permitted.
- Supervision: Operations are coordinated with Egypt, requiring prior Israeli security approval for individuals. Supervision is conducted by the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), with a minor Palestinian presence. EUBAM's role is described as monitoring and supporting Palestinian border officials. Israel maintains control over the territory between the Rafah crossing and Palestinian residential areas, with an additional Israeli screening point near the "Yellow Line."
- Capacity: Israeli officials initially indicated a capacity of 150 departures from Gaza and 50 entries daily, while Egyptian state media reported 50 departures and 50 entries. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated 50 patients per day would be allowed to depart, each accompanied by two relatives, with 50 individuals who left Gaza during the conflict permitted to return daily.
- Actual Numbers: During the first week of operation, the actual number of crossings was significantly lower than anticipated. On Monday, 12 Palestinians crossed in each direction, increasing to 40 each way on Tuesday. United Nations data indicated that over the first four days, 36 Palestinians requiring medical care and 62 companions departed Gaza for Egypt.
The reopening of the Rafah crossing was marked by operational confusion and logistical challenges, leading to delays and prolonged processes for travelers.
- Challenges: Palestinians returning to Gaza reported extensive security checks, including multiple checkpoints (Egyptian, EUBAM with Palestinian forces, and Israeli military). Some returnees alleged mistreatment, handcuffing, and extensive interrogations by Israeli forces regarding migration, Hamas, and the October 7 events. Confiscation of belongings and restrictions on items like food, drink, and personal bags were also reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied incidents of inappropriate conduct, stating that security authorities conduct identity verification and luggage screening in accordance with security policies. The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) documented similar accounts of alleged "patterns of ill-treatment and coercion."
Ceasefire Agreement Context and Hostage Exchanges
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, commenced on October 10, 2023.
Phase One
This phase included a commitment from Hamas to return 20 living and 28 deceased hostages within 72 hours. By October 13, all living Israeli hostages were released in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza. Israel also exchanged the bodies of 195 Palestinians for the bodies of 13 Israeli and two foreign hostages (one Thai, one Nepalese) returned by Hamas.
Deceased Hostage Transfers
During earlier transfers, Israel received coffins from Hamas, some of which were identified as belonging to hostages whose bodies had already been recovered by Israeli forces, such as Ofir Tzarfati. Israel accused Hamas of ceasefire violations related to these transfers, which Hamas rejected as "baseless allegations."
Phase Two
This phase outlines more complex provisions, including the establishment of a new Palestinian committee to govern Gaza, the deployment of an international security force, the disarmament of Hamas, and initial steps towards reconstruction. A senior Hamas official indicated the group's willingness to discuss the future of its weapons as part of a "balanced approach" that includes Gaza's reconstruction and protection.
Humanitarian Impact and Health Services
The prolonged closure of the Rafah crossing has significantly impacted humanitarian access. Approximately 20,000 Palestinian children and adults are awaiting urgent medical attention abroad that is unavailable within Gaza. Thousands of other Palestinians outside the territory are seeking to return home. The Palestinian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) report that approximately 1,000 Palestinians have died while awaiting approval for medical evacuation since the conflict began. Egyptian authorities have prepared around 150 hospitals to receive Palestinian patients evacuated from Gaza.
Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières - MSF) is scheduled to cease its operations and depart the Gaza Strip by February 28, 2026. This decision, announced by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, follows the organization's stated refusal to comply with new requirements for humanitarian organizations operating in the region. MSF funds six hospitals, two field hospitals, eight health clinics, and two stabilization centers for children suffering from severe malnutrition in Gaza.
Gaza Casualty Figures
The Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals abducted. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza.
Gaza Health Authorities
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported over 71,660 fatalities since the start of the campaign, including over 570 deaths since the ceasefire began in October 2023. These figures identify most individuals by name, birth date, and identity numbers.
Israeli Military Assessment
The Israeli military has acknowledged that the death toll compiled by Gaza health authorities is broadly accurate, marking a shift in its official stance. A senior security official reportedly stated that approximately 70,000 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli attacks in the territory since October 2023, excluding those missing. The military previously stated it had killed 22,000 militants, implying that more than two-thirds of those killed were non-combatants.
Lancet Study
A study published in the Lancet medical journal in May indicated that over 75,000 people were killed in Gaza during the initial 16 months of the conflict (October 7, 2023, to January 5, 2025). The research, based on a survey of 2,000 families in Gaza, found that 42,200 women, children, and elderly individuals constituted 56% of violent deaths. The study also estimated approximately 8,200 deaths due to indirect causes such as malnutrition or untreated disease during the same period.