Gaza city: Conflicting reports emerged from Israeli media on Wednesday regarding the reopening of Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported that the political echelon decided to reopen the Rafah crossing on Wednesday morning to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave. This decision followed the return of four more bodies of Israeli hostages by the Palestinian group Hamas on Tuesday evening. KAN stated that some 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid were expected to enter the Gaza Strip.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth cited an anonymous Israeli security official who denied the reopening of the border on Wednesday due to logistical reasons. The official explained that logistical challenges prevent the immediate opening, as inspections and the deployment of a team are required, which takes time. The border is expected to remain closed, and the date of its reopening is currently unknown.

Hamas handed over the bodies of four more Israeli hostages on Tuesday, following the release of 20 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of four others on Monday. This exchange was part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which involved the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the first phase of a plan to establish a ceasefire in Gaza. This plan, laid out on September 29, included the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The first phase of the agreement came into effect on Friday.

Phase two of the plan involves establishing a new governing mechanism in Gaza without Hamas' participation, forming a multinational force, and disarming Hamas. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of over 67,900 Palestinians in the enclave, the majority of whom were women and children, leaving the area largely uninhabitable.