What's happened
Israel's cabinet is close to reopening Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt, contingent on the return of hostage Ran Gvili's remains. US and Israeli officials are intensifying efforts amid ongoing search operations and diplomatic negotiations, with the ceasefire's second phase hinging on this development.
What's behind the headline?
The current focus on Gvili's remains underscores the political importance of hostage recovery in the Gaza ceasefire. Israel's conditional approach to reopening the Rafah crossing reflects a strategic leverage point, linking humanitarian and diplomatic progress to hostage negotiations. The detailed search efforts, including rabbis and dental experts, indicate Israel's determination to recover the last hostage, which could signal a shift towards a second phase of the ceasefire. However, Hamas's claims of cooperation contrast with Israel's accusations of obstruction, highlighting ongoing mistrust. The US's backing suggests international pressure to advance the ceasefire, but the situation remains fragile. The outcome will likely influence future negotiations and regional stability, with the potential to either solidify or derail the ceasefire process. The broader geopolitical implications include the US's role in mediating and the potential for escalation if negotiations falter.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Israel's cabinet is considering reopening the Rafah border once the search for Gvili's remains is exhausted, with US and Israeli officials emphasizing the hostage's return as key. France 24 highlights the same, noting the detailed search efforts and diplomatic negotiations. AP News confirms the ongoing search and the political conditions tied to the border opening, emphasizing the international dimension. All sources agree that the return of Gvili's remains is pivotal for the next phase of the ceasefire, but differ slightly on the level of cooperation from Hamas and Israel's readiness to proceed.
How we got here
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israel has prioritized recovering all remaining hostages, including Ran Gvili. The ongoing search efforts in Gaza, especially around northern Gaza and Shujaiyya-Daraj Tuffah, are part of this process. The US has brokered negotiations, and Israel's decision to open the Rafah crossing depends on the completion of these efforts and the return of Gvili's remains. Tensions remain high, with Hamas claiming cooperation and Israel accusing Hamas of obstructing the search.
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More on these topics
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.