Gaza — December 2025 — Hamas has announced that it will return the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza, a development that comes as Israel agreed to reopen the territory’s border crossing with Egypt in a move aimed at easing humanitarian access.
The announcement marks a significant moment in the aftermath of months of conflict and hostage negotiations. Hamas said the remains would be transferred as part of ongoing indirect talks mediated by regional partners, though it did not specify a timeline for the handover.
Israeli officials confirmed that the government has approved the reopening of the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s primary gateway to Egypt, which has remained largely closed since Israeli forces took control of the area earlier this year. The reopening is expected to facilitate the movement of humanitarian aid and allow limited civilian passage under international supervision.
Humanitarian organisations have long warned that the closure of Rafah has deepened Gaza’s already severe crisis, restricting medical evacuations and slowing the delivery of essential supplies. The decision to reopen the crossing is being viewed as a potential step toward stabilising conditions on the ground, though broader political negotiations remain stalled.
The return of the hostage’s remains is expected to carry significant emotional and political weight in Israel, where families of captives have pressed the government to prioritise recovery efforts and pursue further agreements.
Regional mediators say both developments could help create space for renewed diplomatic engagement, but caution that the underlying disputes between Israel and Hamas remain unresolved.
