Gaza City [Palestine], October 19 (ANI): The Israeli army has carried out 47 violations of the ceasefire agreement since it took effect in early October, resulting in 38 deaths and 143 injuries, Palestinian officials said, Al Jazeera reported.
The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll since October 2023. According to Palestinian authorities, Israeli 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 individuals were taken captive.
Amid continuing tensions and casualties, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday ordered the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt to remain closed “until further notice,” linking the closure to Hamas’ handling of Israeli hostages’ bodies.
The Rafah crossing, the only exit from Gaza not directly controlled by Israel, serves as a vital humanitarian and logistical lifeline for the enclave’s residents. Its closure underscores the fragile state of the ceasefire and the political complexities surrounding humanitarian access.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, “PM Netanyahu instructed that the Rafah border crossing will not open until further notice. Its opening will be under consideration in accordance with the manner in which Hamas implements its part in return of the deceased hostages and implementation of the agreed-upon framework.”
Hamas has handed over the bodies of two more captives to Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the coffins were transferred into Red Cross custody and are being transported to Israeli personnel in Gaza. The IDF reiterated that Hamas must return all remaining hostages as part of the ceasefire deal, highlighting persistent disputes over compliance.
Earlier, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo had announced that the Rafah crossing would reopen on Monday, October 20, following coordination with Egyptian authorities. The reopening was intended to allow Palestinian citizens residing in Egypt to return to Gaza. The embassy noted that additional logistical details, including gathering points and departure times, would be shared directly with affected individuals.
Meanwhile, Hamas accused Netanyahu of using “flimsy pretexts to disrupt” the ceasefire agreement. In Tel Aviv, protesters gathered to demand that the Israeli government expedite efforts to recover the bodies and remains of all captives held in Gaza. (ANI)
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