Netanyahu says Rafah crossing to reopen once Israel receives remains of three hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will reopen the Rafah border crossing once it receives the remains of the three remaining deceased hostages still held in Gaza, adding that the country is “very close to completing” the process.

“We agreed that we will open the crossing after we receive all our hostages. We are very close to completing this process — it’s set to happen — and once that is completed, we will open the crossing,” Netanyahu said in an interview with the Abu Ali Express Telegram channel, Caliber.Az reports. 

The bodies of the three hostages — Dror Or, Ran Gvili and Sudthisak Rinthalak — have not yet been recovered.

Netanyahu added that once the hostages’ remains are returned and the crossing is reopened, he “will be very happy to see Egypt allowing any Gazan who wants to leave [through the crossing] to do so — because that has not happened until today.”

“Any Gazan who wants to leave should be able to, and that right has been denied to them,” he continued, noting that Washington’s 20-point plan for Gaza “included that right: it sets out the principle that any Gazan who wants to leave can leave. You’re not expelling anyone, but if a person wants to leave, let them leave. If Egypt accepts that — I think that’s very positive.”

The Palestinian embassy in Egypt has urged the reopening of the Rafah crossing, which has remained largely closed since Israeli forces entered Rafah in May 2024, to allow Palestinians living in Egypt to return to Gaza. Egypt, however, has repeatedly stated that any forced displacement of Gazans is a “red line” and has pledged to block any such movement.

By Sabina Mammadli