Gaza City: The Israeli army has violated the ceasefire agreement 47 times since it took effect in early October, resulting in 38 deaths and 143 injuries, Palestinian officials said, according to Al Jazeera.
The broader conflict continues to exact a heavy toll. Since October 2023, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have killed at least 68,116 people and wounded 170,200. In Israel, 1,139 people were killed during the October 7 attacks, and about 200 others were taken captive.
Amid rising tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday ordered the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt to remain closed “until further notice,” citing Hamas’ handling of the bodies of Israeli hostages.
The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s only passage not directly controlled by Israel, serves as a vital humanitarian and logistical route for residents of the besieged enclave. Its closures underscore the fragile and politically charged nature of the ceasefire.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, “Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed that the Rafah border crossing will not open until further notice. Its reopening will depend on Hamas’ compliance with the agreed-upon framework regarding the return of deceased hostages.”
Hamas recently handed over the bodies of two hostages to Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the coffins were transferred to the Red Cross and are en route to Israeli personnel in Gaza. The IDF reiterated that Hamas must return all remaining hostages as part of the ceasefire deal.
Earlier, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced that the Rafah crossing would reopen on Monday, October 20, after coordination with Egyptian authorities, to allow Palestinian citizens in Egypt to return to Gaza. The embassy said detailed travel instructions would be shared directly with those affected.
Meanwhile, Hamas accused Netanyahu of using “flimsy pretexts to disrupt” the ceasefire, while protesters in Tel Aviv demanded that the government secure the return of all hostage remains from Gaza.
