Israel Identifies Remains of Two Hostages as Rafah Crossing Closure Persists

Israel has identified the remains of two hostages returned by Hamas, as the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that the bodies belong to Ronen Engel, a father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker from Kibbutz Be'eri. Both were believed to have been killed during the October 7, 2023, attack, with their bodies taken to Gaza. Engel's wife, Karina, and two of his three children were kidnapped during the attack and released in a ceasefire in November 2023.

The Rafah crossing, a critical entry point for aid and movement, has been closed since May 2024, when Israel took control of the Gaza side. Israel has stated that reopening the crossing is contingent upon Hamas fulfilling its ceasefire obligations, including the return of all 28 deceased hostages. To date, Hamas has handed over the remains of 13 individuals, 12 of whom have been identified as hostages. Israel noted that one of the bodies released did not belong to a hostage.

Discussions are underway regarding the second phase of the ceasefire negotiations. Hazem Kassem, a Hamas spokesman, stated that this phase "requires national consensus" and that Hamas has begun discussions to "solidify its positions," without providing further details. According to the plan introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations will include disarming Hamas and establishing an internationally backed authority to govern Gaza.

The U.S. State Department has reported credible information about a planned attack by Hamas against Palestinian civilians, describing it as a "direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement." Hamas has denied these allegations, accusing Israel of supporting armed groups operating in Israeli-controlled areas and urging the U.S. to pressure Israel to cease such support.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties. According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which is part of the Hamas-run government, more than 68,000 Palestinians have been killed. These figures are considered reliable estimates by U.N. agencies and many independent experts. Israel disputes these numbers but has not provided its own toll. Thousands more are reported missing, according to the Red Cross. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 individuals in an attack that sparked the war.