Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Saturday that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed indefinitely. The reopening, he stated, hinges on Hamas returning the bodies of deceased hostages. This announcement followed a conflicting statement from the Palestinian embassy in Egypt, which had earlier indicated that the crossing would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza. Hamas swiftly condemned Netanyahu’s decision, labeling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement and a breach of commitments made to mediators. The group also warned that the continued closure would hinder the entry of essential equipment needed to locate and recover more hostage remains buried under rubble, further delaying the process. Earlier on Saturday, Hamas confirmed it would hand over two additional hostage bodies, bringing the total to 12 out of 28 bodies returned under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal agreed upon last week. The dispute over the return of bodies underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and poses a significant risk to the broader agreement, which includes President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the conflict. As part of the deal, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. However, Israel has criticized Hamas for the slow pace of returning deceased hostages’ bodies, citing the challenges of locating remains amid Gaza’s widespread destruction. The agreement also stipulates that Israel return 360 bodies of Palestinian militants for each Israeli body received, with 15 bodies handed over so far. The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, and the ceasefire deal includes provisions to increase aid into Gaza, where hundreds of thousands face famine. Despite recent aid increases, the UN World Food Programme reports that the current levels remain insufficient. Key issues in Trump’s plan, including Hamas’s disarmament, Gaza’s governance, and the creation of a Palestinian state, remain unresolved, highlighting the formidable obstacles to achieving lasting peace.