Doubt surrounds reopening Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt
(MENAFN) Conflicting accounts emerged Wednesday regarding the potential reopening of Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt, according to reports.
Israel’s public broadcaster stated that “the political echelon” had decided to reopen the crossing Wednesday morning to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, following the return of four more Israeli hostages’ bodies by Hamas on Tuesday evening. An Israel’s public broadcaster reported that roughly 600 trucks carrying aid are expected to enter the enclave today. The broadcaster also noted that four additional bodies are anticipated to be handed over by Hamas in the coming hours.
In contrast, another report cited an anonymous Israeli security official denying that the border would open on Wednesday, citing “logistical reasons.” “It’s not logistically possible. We need to go down to the area, inspect it, and send in a team — that takes time,” the source said, adding that the crossing is expected to remain closed tomorrow and “the date of its reopening is unknown.”
Hamas transferred the bodies of four more Israeli hostages on Tuesday, after having previously released 20 living hostages and the remains of four others on Monday. These exchanges were conducted in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Last week, it was reported that the first phase of a ceasefire plan, initially proposed on Sept. 29, came into effect on Friday. This phase involves the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The subsequent phase of the plan envisions the creation of a new governing body in Gaza without Hamas’ involvement, the deployment of a multinational force, and the disarmament of Hamas.
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