Border crossing to stay closed, Israel says, as US alleges Hamas ceasefire violation

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, adding its reopening will depend on Hamas handing over the bodies of deceased hostages as the two sides continued to trade blame over ceasefire violations.

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Mr. Netanyahu’s statement came shortly after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced that the Rafah crossing, the main gateway for Gazans to leave and enter the enclave, would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza.

Netanyahu’s government and Hamas have been trading blame over violations of the US-mediated ceasefire for days. Late on Saturday in Washington, the State Department said it had received “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza.”

The State Department said the planned attack against Palestinian civilians would be a “direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement.”