Rafah Crossing Closed Until Hamas Returns Hostage Bodies
October 18, 2025
4:01 pm
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain shut indefinitely, linking its reopening directly to Hamas handing over the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages.
His announcement came just hours after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt said the crossing would reopen Monday to allow Palestinians from Egypt to return to Gaza. Netanyahu’s office clarified that “the crossing’s opening will be considered based on how Hamas fulfils its obligations to return the fallen hostages and implement the agreed framework.”
As of Saturday, Hamas pledged to turn in two more bodies by …
