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Israel returns last Gaza captive's body, Rafah reopening limited

Israel returns body of last Gaza captive, agrees to 'limited reopening' of Rafah crossing
MENA
11 min read
Tel Aviv said it would reopen the Rafah crossing "for pedestrian passage only" as the body of the last captive that had been held in Gaza returned to Israel

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Israeli forces brought home on Monday the remains of the last captive held in Gaza, Ran Gvili, as Tel Aviv said it would allow the limited reopening of a vital border crossing.

Hamas said it provided information as to the location of Gvili's body, and spokesman Hazem Qassem said Monday that his recovery "confirms Hamas's commitment to all the requirements of the ceasefire agreement".

The announcement came after visiting US envoys reportedly pushed Israeli officials to reopen Gaza's Rafah crossing, a vital entry point for aid. Despite October's ceasefire, Israel has restricted the amount of humanitarian relief entering the Palestinian territory.

Israeli officials said on Monday that though they would open the crossing, only pedestrians would be allowed to travel through it to Egypt.