The Rafah border crossing, a vital lifeline between Gaza and Egypt, is set to reopen on Monday, October 20, 2025, to facilitate the return of individuals to Gaza. This development was announced by the Palestinian embassy in Egypt on Saturday, October 18, noting a significant number of people eager to re-enter the territory. There has been no immediate statement from Israel regarding this reopening.
This crossing holds particular significance as it was Gaza’s sole direct link to the outside world not under Israeli control prior to the conflict. It has remained closed since May 2024, following Israel’s assumption of control over the Gaza side. Meanwhile, amidst a fragile ceasefire, recovery efforts in Gaza’s devastated areas on Saturday, October 18, tragically pushed the Palestinian death toll past 68,000. These grim searches also led to Israel identifying the remains of Eliyahu Margalit, the tenth hostage whose body was returned by Hamas the previous day.
The exchange of hostage remains is a critical component of the ceasefire agreement, alongside humanitarian aid delivery and discussions on Gaza’s future — efforts broadly supported by the international community to bring an end to two years of conflict. The Prime Minister’s Office in Israel confirmed that Margalit’s family had been informed. The 76-year-old had been abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the initial October 7, 2023, attack, and his remains were discovered during excavations in Khan Younis. The ongoing search for the remaining 18 hostages comes after a stark warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated Israel would be permitted to resume hostilities if Hamas fails to release all captives. Families of the abducted have affirmed their unwavering commitment to continue weekly rallies until every hostage is safely home.
Hamas maintains its commitment to the ceasefire terms but asserts that recovering additional remains is severely hindered by widespread destruction and the presence of unexploded ordnance. The group has communicated to mediators that some remains are located within areas currently under Israeli military control.
Thousands of individuals remain unaccounted for. In adherence to the ceasefire agreement, Israel repatriated the bodies of 15 more Palestinians to Gaza on Saturday, October 18. Medical authorities in Gaza confirmed that these remains were transferred to Nasser Hospital by the International Committee of the Red Cross, raising the total number of bodies returned by Israel to 135. The updated Palestinian death toll reflects a significant increase since the ceasefire commenced, with most newly identified bodies discovered during ongoing recovery operations.
Hamas has reiterated its accusations against Israel for alleged ongoing attacks and ceasefire violations, claiming 38 Palestinian fatalities since the truce began. Israel, which still controls approximately half of Gaza, has not immediately responded to these specific allegations. Earlier, on Friday, October 17, Gaza’s Civil Defence, a first-responder unit, reported that nine people, including women and children, died when their vehicle was struck by Israeli fire in Gaza City. The Civil Defence stated the car had entered an Israeli-controlled zone in eastern Gaza and suggested non-lethal warnings could have been employed. These bodies were recovered the following day with UN coordination.
The Israeli army, however, reported observing a ‘suspicious vehicle’ crossing a designated ‘yellow line’ and advancing towards their troops. They stated that warning shots were fired, but the vehicle persisted in its approach, which was deemed an ‘imminent threat.’ The military affirmed its actions were consistent with the ceasefire protocols.
Hamas has pressed mediators to boost humanitarian aid deliveries for Gaza’s two million residents, accelerate the full reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and initiate reconstruction efforts for the ravaged territory.
Humanitarian aid flow continues to be restricted due to ongoing crossing closures and limitations imposed on aid organizations. While the ceasefire agreement stipulates approximately 600 aid trucks per day, UN figures from Friday, October 17, indicated only 339 trucks had been offloaded for distribution since the truce began. Conversely, the Israeli defense body coordinating aid in Gaza reported higher figures, with 950 trucks, including commercial and bilateral deliveries, entering on Thursday, October 16, and 716 on Wednesday, October 15.
Throughout the conflict, Israel has regulated, and at times completely halted, aid shipments to Gaza. International food security experts have declared famine in Gaza City, with reports confirming over 400 malnutrition-related deaths, including more than 100 children. Israel has consistently asserted that sufficient food aid enters Gaza and has accused Hamas of diverting supplies, a claim denied by the UN and other relief organizations. The detailed casualty records maintained by Gaza’s health authorities, which operate under the Hamas-run government, are widely considered reliable by international agencies and experts, despite Israel disputing them without offering alternative figures.