Israel said on Monday it would allow a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing once the remains of Gaza’s last hostage are recovered.
The pledge followed reported pressure from visiting United States envoys, who urged Israeli officials to reopen the vital gateway for humanitarian aid.
Rafah’s reopening forms part of a truce framework announced by President Donald Trump in October, though the crossing has stayed shut since Israeli forces seized it.
The Israeli military said it searched a Gaza cemetery on Sunday for Ran Gvili, a police non-commissioned officer from the elite Yassam unit.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said reopening depends on the return of all living hostages and Hamas making full efforts to recover the dead.
It said the army is conducting a focused operation to exhaust intelligence leads in the effort to locate Gvili’s remains.
Upon completion of that operation, and in line with understandings reached with Washington, Israel said it would reopen the Rafah crossing.
