Israel to Partially Reopen Rafah Crossing After Captive Search

Israel to Partially Reopen Rafah Crossing After Search for Captive’s Body

January 26, 2026

Israel has announced plans to allow a limited reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt once operations to recover the body of the last remaining Israeli captive in the territory are concluded.

The announcement was made late on Sunday by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as reports emerged of continued Israeli military strikes across Gaza that left at least three Palestinians dead.

According to Netanyahu’s office, the reopening of the Rafah crossing will be restricted to the movement of people only. The crossing had been expected to reopen during the initial phase of a United States-brokered ceasefire reached in October, but this did not materialise.

The statement said the decision is conditional on the return of all living Israeli captives and Hamas making “maximum efforts” to locate and hand over the bodies of those who died in captivity.

Israeli authorities say all captives have now been accounted for except the body of Ran Gvili, an Israeli police officer. The Israeli military confirmed on Sunday that it is currently searching a cemetery in northern Gaza, close to the so-called “yellow line” separating Israeli-controlled areas from the rest of the territory.

An Israeli military official disclosed that several intelligence leads are being followed regarding the possible location of Gvili’s remains.

Meanwhile, Palestinians in southern Gaza, including in Khan Younis, continue to grapple with widespread destruction following ongoing Israeli military operations.

source; aljazeera news