Netanyahu announces closure of Rafah crossing

Israel has violated the ceasefire 47 times since the Palestinians declared a ceasefire in Gaza. 38 Palestinians have lost their lives. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the closure of the Rafah border. This has raised questions about the future of the ceasefire. Reuters reported.
The Israeli aggression in Gaza has not stopped despite the ceasefire. Tel Aviv has violated it 47 times since the agreement came into effect on October 10.
The local administration has accused civilians of shelling, targeted attacks and shooting. The media office reported that tanks, drones and military vehicles were used in the attacks.
Netanyahu’s forces continue to deploy troops in Shezaiya, al-Tufah and Zaytun. Troops have not yet been fully withdrawn from Khan Yunis. Even Palestinians are still prohibited from entering Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun.
In this situation, the Rafah border, the only international gateway to Gaza, was supposed to open, but it will remain closed until further notice, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. He claimed that Hamas has not yet returned the bodies of all the dead hostages, so the border cannot be opened.
The Palestinian embassy had announced that Rafah was supposed to open last Monday. But Netanyahu’s decision postponed it. The Freedom House claimed that the decision to close Rafah violated the terms of the ceasefire.
The reopening of the Rafah border and the entry of humanitarian aid were one of the main conditions of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement. The agreement aimed to end the ceasefire and resolve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Hamas said last Saturday that the transfer of the bodies of the prisoners would be delayed if Israel closed the Rafah border in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, Hamas handed over the bodies of two more Israeli hostages in Gaza to the Red Cross on Saturday night under the ceasefire agreement.