The Rafah Border Crossing will not be opened until the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili are returned to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, according to a Tuesday report by Israel's public broadcaster KAN News.
This follows agreements reached with the Trump administration, the report noted, adding that Israel intends to set a deadline for Hamas terrorists to disarm.
Israel should not open the Rafah Border Crossing under any circumstances until Gvili's remains are returned, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich affirmed on Monday.
"This is our duty," he added, referring to achieving the return of his remains. "Hamas can and must return Gvili to Israel."
Trump promises Gvili's father his remains will be returned
Itzik Gvili, Ran's father, commented that US President Donald Trump promised him that the Gaza Strip would not be reconstructed until Gvili's remains had been returned, Ynet reported on Monday.
"I'm bringing your son back," Trump told Gvili.