Israel receives possible hostage remains — Gaza’s Rafah crossing to reopen

Thursday, December 4, 2025 -Israel has confirmed it received a body from militants in Gaza, delivered via the Red Cross, which may belong to one of the last two deceased hostages still unreturned. 

The remains are now undergoing forensic identification. This transfer is part of an ongoing effort under a ceasefire‑backed agreement that aims to account for all hostages held in Gaza.

In the same announcement, authorities said they plan to reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the coming days, allowing Palestinians from Gaza to exit into Egypt. 

The exit will be coordinated with Egyptian authorities and supervised by the European Union, under the terms of the international ceasefire agreement.

The reopening could offer major humanitarian relief: thousands of Palestinians in Gaza — many sick or wounded — may finally gain access to medical care and safety outside the enclave. 

However, the move has stirred cautious optimism because the crossing will only allow exit (not return), at least initially, pending full compliance with the hostage‑return process.