Israel keeps Rafah Crossing Point closed amid delays in returning hostages’ remains

Israeli authorities have decided not to open the Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt on October 15 and to limit the volume of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip. 

The decision follows delays in the transfer of the bodies of deceased hostages, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

On October 13, four of the 28 hostages who had died in Gaza were returned to Israeli territory. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the partial handover as a deviation from the ceasefire agreement in the region.

According to Ynet, Israel consulted with the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey on the issue. Hamas representatives reportedly stated during talks in Sharm El-Sheikh that they were aware of the location of half of the deceased hostages. Israel had expected the return of up to 15 bodies after the ceasefire came into effect.

Christian Cardon, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), told Al Jazeera that the return of the remains was a complex process requiring time. “Returning the dead is more complicated than releasing the living,” he said.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told Al Hadath that the movement had informed mediators about difficulties in transferring the bodies but affirmed that it remained committed to the agreement.

Earlier, on October 13, all 20 remaining living hostages in Gaza were released and returned to Israel. The remaining 28 bodies are expected to be returned in line with the terms of the peace arrangements.

By Aghakazim Guliyev