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The Rafah Border Crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, when the Palestinian side was taken over by Israeli forces. It was supposed to reopen during the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that began in October.

However, the Israeli government made this conditional on Hamas making every effort to return the body of the last hostage, police officer Chief Sergeant Ran Gvili.

On Sunday, the Israeli army said it had launched a new search operation in northern Gaza to find Gvili’s body.

While Israel provided a timeframe for reopening the crossing in its latest statement, it remains unclear how long the search for Gvili will take.

Israeli media reported that military officials said the operation is taking place at a cemetery in Gaza City and could last several days.

On Thursday, the head of the new technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza said the Rafah Border Crossing would be opened this week “in both directions.”

These developments came at a time when the United States and other mediators continue to pressure both sides to take the next steps to advance President Donald Trump’s peace plan.