Confusion over the opening date of the Rafah crossing and UN criticism of Israel regarding aid

Reports have conflicted regarding the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, as Israeli sources stated that preparations are underway to open the crossing, without specifying a date for that.

The Israeli radio reported that Benjamin Netanyahu's government linked the opening of the crossing to the reception of more bodies of Israeli prisoners in Gaza.

In light of international calls to expedite the opening of crossings, Israeli sources indicated that preparations are ongoing for the opening of Rafah, but no specific date has been set.

For its part, Israeli radio stated that the government decided not to open the Rafah crossing until the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) intensifies the return of the bodies of Israeli prisoners.

Reuters had reported from two sources that the Rafah crossing is expected to reopen today, Thursday, with the return of a European Union monitoring mission to the crossing.

The sources did not specify the restrictions that may be applied to those wishing to travel.

The Director-General of the Government Media Office in Gaza, Ismail Thawabteh, called on the occupying authorities to open the crossings and allow aid in immediately, appealing to the U.S. administration to pressure for the opening of the crossings in an interview with Al Jazeera.

He confirmed that the priority for travel when the Rafah crossing opens will be for patients and the injured, noting that the authorities in Gaza have not seen any progress in the entry of aid into the besieged enclave.

Meanwhile, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, criticized Israel, stating that withholding aid from civilians cannot be used as a bargaining chip.

This came after Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), urged the immediate opening of all crossings to allow aid into the besieged and devastated Gaza Strip.

Fletcher is heading to the Rafah crossing today, Thursday, from the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza, which has been closed for several months due to the Israeli blockade.

Last Monday, leaders from the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey signed a guarantee document for the Gaza agreement mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump to cease fire and exchange prisoners between Hamas and Israel, reaffirming their commitment to a 'future of lasting peace.'

Fletcher noted that 'the test of this agreement is not through images, press conferences, and interviews... the test is that we feed our children, provide anesthesia in hospitals for those receiving treatment, and set up tents over people's heads.'

He said, 'We want all crossings to be open, and access to them to be fully available. We must be able to deliver aid on a large scale.'

Meanwhile, CNN reported from the World Food Programme that less than a third of the agreed-upon aid trucks have been allowed to enter Gaza.

The program clarified that Israel had pledged to allow 600 aid trucks into Gaza daily, but this has not been implemented, with fewer than 200 trucks entering the enclave daily over the past four days.