Hamas Transfers Two Hostage Bodies to Israel as Rafah Crossing Remains Closed

The Red Cross has transferred two coffins containing the bodies of Israeli hostages to IDF and Shin Bet forces inside the Gaza Strip, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed on Saturday night. The transfer followed an earlier announcement by Hamas’ military wing that it would hand over the bodies of two Israeli hostages at 10:00 p.m.

According to television footage aired by Qatar’s Al-Arabi channel, Red Cross representatives were seen in Gaza joining Hamas operatives for the handover. The bodies are believed to have been brought from the Khan Yunis area, where Hamas members reportedly worked throughout the day to locate them.

So far, 10 bodies of hostages have been returned to Israel, while 18 others remain held in Gaza.

Netanyahu: Rafah Crossing Will Remain Closed

Earlier in the evening, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that the Rafah Crossing will not reopen until Hamas fulfills its obligations under the hostage return agreement.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu has instructed that the Rafah Crossing will not open until further notice,” the statement read. “Its opening will be considered in accordance with the manner in which Hamas fulfills its part in returning the fallen hostages and implementing the agreed outline.”

The announcement came shortly after Al-Arabiya reported that the Palestinian embassy in Egypt had declared the crossing would reopen on Monday to allow Palestinians residing in Egypt to return to Gaza. Israeli officials swiftly denied this, saying the crossing would remain shut as long as Hamas withholds hostages and bodies.

Israel Accuses Hamas of Withholding Remains

Two days earlier, after Hamas transferred two additional bodies, the group claimed it had returned “all the bodies we were able to locate.”
Senior Israeli officials dismissed the statement as false, asserting that Hamas still holds the majority of the fallen.

The Prime Minister’s Office said keeping Rafah closed is part of an effort to increase pressure on Hamas, emphasizing that Israel will not allow the crossing to open “for humanitarian or operational purposes” until the group meets its commitments.

Officials added that the decision was also linked to delays in coordination with Egypt over monitoring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Families’ Forum Backs Government’s Move

The Families’ Headquarters of the Abductees welcomed the government’s decision to keep Rafah closed, but urged stronger action:

“The Israeli government should not rely solely on mediators—it must lead a firm line against Hamas and demand the return of all 18 abductees without exception,” the group said.
“The government must declare that it will not continue implementing the agreement until all the dead hostages are returned in accordance with the Trump plan.”

Among those already returned is Eliyahu Margalit, 75, whose body was transferred on Friday.

Palestinian Embassy: Rafah to Open Monday

Despite Israel’s stance, the Palestinian embassy in Cairo announced that Rafah would open Monday to allow Palestinian citizens living in Egypt to return to Gaza “in accordance with the established coordination mechanism.”

The embassy urged citizens to register via an online form and said they would later receive departure times and gathering points.

According to Al-Arabiya, entry into Gaza has been severely restricted since May 2024, when Israel assumed control of the Palestinian side of the crossing. The renewed discussions over Rafah follow ceasefire arrangements reached in Sharm el-Sheikh, involving Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, under U.S. supervision, after nearly two years of war in Gaza.

U.S. Envoys to Visit Region

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to arrive in the region on Monday, seeking to revive negotiations for the return of remaining hostages and to increase pressure on Hamas to comply with the agreed framework.

At its weekly meeting on Sunday, the Israeli government is expected to approve a proposal by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to rename the war that began in October 2023—known until now as the “Iron Swords War”—to the “War of Revival.”

According to the proposal, the new name reflects the “national revival and unity” shown by the Israeli people following Hamas’ October 7 attack, which killed and abducted hundreds.

The resolution explains that the change aims to express the “fighting spirit and resilience of the Israeli nation.” The shift will be implemented without additional budget costs, using existing ministry resources.

A legal opinion by Deputy Attorney General Orly Fishman-Oren confirmed that the government has full authority to rename the war, citing a 1970 precedent when the cabinet officially adopted the title “War of Attrition.”