A major military operation is underway in Gaza as Israeli forces intensify efforts to locate the remains of the last hostage held in the territory. Officials state that the reopening of a critical border crossing, a cornerstone of a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement, is contingent upon the completion of this mission.
The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s primary gateway to Egypt, has been closed since coming under Israeli military control. Its reopening is a stipulated part of the internationally brokered truce. Israeli authorities have now clarified that the crossing will only open after exhaustive search operations for the hostage, identified as Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, are concluded.
The return of all hostages, both living and deceased, has been a persistent Israeli condition for advancing the ceasefire. While other hostages have been recovered, Gvili’s case remains unresolved, creating a significant diplomatic and humanitarian hurdle.
Current operations are reportedly concentrated in specific areas of northern Gaza, including a cemetery near a demarcation line. Specialized teams, including forensic experts, are involved in the ground search. The hostage’s family has publicly called for his remains to be returned before any further ceasefire phases proceed.
Meanwhile, Palestinian factions have countered that they have provided all available information regarding the location and accused Israeli forces of hindering search efforts in zones under their control.
In a separate development, the former headquarters of a UN aid agency in East Jerusalem was damaged by a fire. Agency officials reported that individuals were seen looting the compound prior to the blaze. The incident is the latest in a series of tensions surrounding the agency, which Israel has accused of misconduct and has moved to restrict. The agency denies these allegations and maintains its operations are purely humanitarian.
The ongoing search operation and the status of the border crossing are being closely watched, as they are viewed as critical tests for the stability of the fragile ceasefire and the flow of vital aid into the Gaza Strip.