Rafah Crossing Reopening Dependent on Hostage Search

Published: 26 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Israel has confirmed that it will only proceed with the reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing after completing a focused operation to locate the body of the last hostage, Ran Gvili. The announcement underscores the Israeli government’s insistence on recovering all hostages before allowing humanitarian access through this critical border. The focus on the Rafah crossing is central to international discussions, as it remains the primary route for over two million residents of Gaza to receive aid. Israel’s military operation is now intensifying in northern Gaza, employing specialized search teams, rabbis, and dental experts.

The decision follows meetings between Israeli officials and senior US envoys, who urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to open the crossing to facilitate humanitarian relief. Israel, however, emphasized that the return of the final hostage, alongside comprehensive efforts by Hamas to locate deceased hostages, must precede any reopening. Israeli statements highlighted that all bodies have been returned except for Gvili, whose remains are the subject of ongoing recovery efforts.

Ali Shaath, leading a US-backed transitional Palestinian committee, indicated that the Rafah crossing could open this week, pending Israel’s completion of the operation. The crossing, controlled by Israel since 2024, is critical for delivering food, medical supplies, and other essentials to Gaza’s population. The military search has focused on cemetery areas near the “yellow line” marking Israeli-controlled territories, as well as the Shuja’iya-Daraj Tuffah district. Israeli officials have deployed specialists to ensure the remains are accurately identified.

Gvili’s family has publicly urged the government not to advance to the second phase of the ceasefire until his body is returned. Despite this, the Trump administration recently declared that the ceasefire’s next stage has commenced. Israeli authorities continue to hold Hamas responsible for delaying the recovery, while Hamas maintains it has shared all known information about Gvili and criticized Israeli military restrictions in Gaza.

In related developments, the shuttered UN agency headquarters for Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem was set ablaze overnight, following demolitions earlier this month. Observers reported that Israeli settlers looted the building, cutting holes in the fence surrounding the compound. Israeli fire services acted quickly to contain the blaze, preventing its spread. The incident was condemned by UNRWA officials, who described it as part of a broader attempt to dismantle the status of Palestinian refugees.

UNRWA, mandated to serve 2.5 million refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, has faced ongoing operational restrictions since Israel’s legislation severed its ties to certain areas. Allegations of Hamas infiltration within the agency have been strongly denied by UNRWA, which insists that it maintains strict oversight and compliance with humanitarian obligations. Despite these challenges, UNRWA continues to play a vital role in the provision of essential services, highlighting the fragile humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Rafah crossing remains emblematic of the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as its reopening is seen as a test of both military and diplomatic coordination. Analysts note that Israel’s insistence on locating the last hostage reflects domestic political pressures and security priorities, while international actors continue to advocate for urgent humanitarian access. The ongoing operation in Gaza represents a critical juncture for both sides, as it intertwines the sensitive issue of hostages with broader ceasefire commitments.

As the search for Gvili continues, global attention remains fixed on Gaza, emphasizing the delicate balance between security and humanitarian imperatives. The successful recovery of the last hostage will likely determine the timeline for opening the Rafah crossing and advancing the next phase of the US-brokered ceasefire, which has already begun amid complex political maneuvering.

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