Israel All hostage bodies handed over: What's next in Gaza?
The return of the last hostage killed by Islamist Hamas from the Gaza Strip to Israel has cleared the way for the reopening of an important border crossing.
27.01.2026, 06:01
SDA
The opening of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the coastal region would fulfill the conditions for entering the second phase of the peace plan promoted by the USA. This phase provides for the disarmament of Hamas. The Palestinian terrorist organization has so far rejected this. If no agreement is reached, the war could break out again.
US President Donald Trump gave Hamas a lot of credit for its support in the search for the remains of the Israeli police officer Ran Gvili, who was kidnapped by the organization. "They worked very hard to get the body back. They worked with Israel to do that," he told the US news site Axios. In return, Israel will hand over the bodies of at least 15 Palestinians, the Times of Israel quoted an informed source as saying.
Israel pledges to open Rafah for passenger traffic
Israel had previously announced that the Rafah border crossing would be reopened for passenger traffic as soon as Gvili's body had been returned to Israel for burial. However, no timetable was given.
Israeli and Arab mediators were still negotiating details, including the number of people who would be allowed to enter and leave daily, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Israel described the opening of the crossing as limited and stated that it would take place under Israeli supervision. The Palestinians would be subjected to security checks.
The return of Gvili's body and the opening of the Rafah crossing were crucial requirements for the first phase of the peace plan drawn up by the US. "The next phase is the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza," the Times of Israel quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying. "The next phase is not reconstruction," the head of government emphasized in parliament.
Israel and the USA demand disarmament of Hamas
It is in Israel's interest "to advance this phase and not to delay it", Netanyahu was quoted as saying. "It will happen the easy way or the hard way", he apparently said in reference to the difficult issue of disarming Hamas. "But it will happen." US President Trump also emphasized in the interview with "Axios" that Hamas must now be disarmed - "as they promised".
According to the report, two US officials also emphasized that the ball is now in Hamas' court with regard to the further implementation of the Gaza peace plan, which must agree to its disarmament: "We believe they will do that." Hamas, meanwhile, emphasized in a statement its "commitment to comply with the agreements". At the same time, it demanded that Israel fulfill its obligations without delay, "especially the opening of the Rafah border crossing in both directions without restrictions".
Hamas demands aid deliveries and troop withdrawal
However, it is still unclear whether Israel will also allow the return of Palestinians who have fled and are stuck in Egypt. The Rafah border crossing, which has been closed for almost a year, is considered Gaza's most important gateway to the world. Israel's military controls the Gaza side of the crossing. Ali Shaath, chairman of the new interim government for the coastal area on the Mediterranean, which has been largely destroyed in two years of war, announced last Thursday that the border crossing would be opened in both directions.
In addition, Israel must ensure the import of the necessary quantities of aid, withdraw its army completely from Gaza and facilitate the work of the transitional government, according to the Hamas statement. This government consists of 14 Palestinian experts who are said to have no connection to Hamas. They were recently announced as part of the second phase of the peace plan already announced by the USA.
Committees to steer transition phase in Gaza
A body called the "Gaza Executive Board" was set up to support this government. Its members include the US special envoy Steve Witkoff, the British former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the high-ranking Qatari diplomat Ali Thawadi. The inclusion of the representatives from Qatar and Turkey annoys Israel's government, as both countries are considered supporters of Hamas. According to media reports, however, they had persuaded Hamas to agree to the Gaza agreement.
Another new body, the Executive Committee, is to oversee the interim government and also manage the planned reconstruction of Gaza. All of these bodies are subordinate to the controversial "Peace Council", which will be made up of leading politicians from around the world and chaired by Trump. It is to oversee the Gaza peace process. However, contrary to initial expectations, it will also deal with other international conflicts. Critics see it as an illegitimate competitor to the United Nations and point out that the "Peace Council" is completely tailored to the person of Trump.
