Israel Declares Rafah Crossing Will Not Reopen

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced that the Rafah crossing at the border of Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice.

On October 9, Khalil al-Hayya, a leader of the Palestinian Hamas movement in Gaza, stated that the Rafah crossing would soon be reopened for both sides. Additionally, on Saturday, the Palestinian embassy in Cairo announced that Rafah would reopen on October 20.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, "Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered that the Rafah crossing will not be reopened until further notice. The issue of its reopening will be discussed based on the progress regarding the return of deceased individuals kidnapped by Hamas and the implementation of an agreed-upon plan."