Israel to reopen Rafah Crossing to pedestrians

Israel has agreed to reopen Gaza’s Rafah Crossing with Egypt for the passage of people after the IDF concludes “Operation Brave Heart,” which seeks to return the remains of Israel Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage held in the Strip.

The Israel Defense Forces “is currently conducting a focused operation to exhaust all of the intelligence that has been gathered in the effort to locate and return the fallen hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili of blessed memory,” the Prime Minister’s Office announced in a statement late Sunday night.

“Upon completion of this operation, and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the U.S., Israel will open the Rafah Crossing,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement continued.

The premier noted that Jerusalem agreed to reopen Rafah for pedestrian passage only and “subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism,” as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip.

“The reopening of the crossing was conditioned upon the return of all living hostages and a 100% effort by Hamas to locate and return all deceased hostages,” the PMO stated, vowing that the Jewish state remained committed to giving Gvili “a proper Jewish burial.”