DaysofPal – Search operations have resumed in eastern Gaza for the body of Ran Guily, the last Israeli captive held by Hamas, according to informed sources. The search is taking place in the Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, with the participation of Hamas members, under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Sources said that fighters from the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, accompanied by Red Cross teams, restarted efforts to locate the body in the Malaka area east of Zeitoun. Local sources and eyewitnesses reported that the operation began early on Tuesday morning as part of the ceasefire agreement and the ongoing exchange framework involving prisoners and captives.
About a month ago, Israeli media reported that security assessments had identified a potential lead that could help determine the burial location of Guily in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office later confirmed that a delegation led by Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for prisoners of war and missing persons, traveled to Cairo alongside a senior delegation in an effort to pressure for the return of the body.
Despite recent Israeli reports suggesting that the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza could soon reopen, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that understandings had been reached with the US administration stipulating that the crossing would not reopen until the body of the last Israeli captive is returned from Gaza.
In this context, Egypt and Qatar discussed ongoing efforts on Tuesday to advance the implementation of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan, particularly regarding Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza. The talks took place during a phone call between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Over the past 24 hours, observers noted a shift in tone and messaging. Israeli political sources told the Maariv newspaper that understandings had been reached with Washington under which the reopening of the Rafah crossing would remain conditional on the return of the last captive.
At the same time, Egyptian frustration over the continued delay in reopening Rafah is growing. Officials in Cairo have reportedly sent strong messages in recent days to Israel and international organizations and are pressing Washington to ensure the crossing is reopened as soon as possible in both directions.
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