Gazans hopeful Rafah border crossing will reopen after Israel recovers remains of last hostage

Many Gazans are hoping the Rafah crossing will reopen after Israel said it recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza; officials have not given a reopening date.

Lamis Mahmoud and many other Gaza residents are hoping the Rafah border crossing with Egypt will reopen after Israel said it recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza. Rafah's Gaza-side terminal was seized and closed by Israeli forces in May 2024 and remains shut. The return of the remains was reported as fulfilling the first phase of the October ceasefire agreement. An Israeli government spokesperson had no immediate comment on when the crossing would be reopened. Key facts: - Israel recovered the remains of the last hostage, reported as Ran Gvili, which was cited as meeting a condition of the ceasefire's first phase. - The Rafah crossing is the only crossing through which Palestinians can enter or leave Gaza and has been closed on Gaza's side since May 2024. - Gaza Media Office figures reported that about 22,000 patients and injured people, including 5,200 children, have been denied travel since the closure, and roughly 17,000 people have completed paperwork to leave. - An Israeli government spokesperson had no immediate comment on reopening and no date for reopening has been announced. Summary: The recovery of the last hostage's remains is reported to clear a condition in the ceasefire deal and has raised hopes that the Rafah crossing might reopen. Large numbers of people in Gaza remain unable to travel for medical care, education or family reunification. Undetermined at this time.