"COGAT" (the Israeli government's coordination office for civilian issues in the Palestinian territories) announced today that it continues preparations with Egypt to open the "Rafah" crossing on the border with the Gaza Strip for the passage of people, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
The date on which this will happen will be announced at a later stage.
Israel warned earlier that it would not open the "Rafah" crossing, which has been closed for several months, and would reduce humanitarian aid entering Gaza, arguing that "Hamas" is returning the bodies of Israeli hostages too slowly. He also highlighted the risks to the ceasefire, which ended two years of devastating war and led to the release of all living hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist movement.
"KOGAT" noted that humanitarian aid continued to enter the Strip through "Kerem Shalom" ("Karm Abu Salem"), as well as through other border crossings with Israel.
"It should be emphasized that humanitarian aid will not pass through the "Rafah" crossing. This was never agreed at any stage," the Israeli service added in a statement sent to Reuters. Reuters reported yesterday that the "Rafah" crossing was expected to be opened to people today.