Defense officials said to recommend Rafah crossing stays shut until bodies of 24 hostages returned

14 October 2025, 3:03 pm

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Flowers and a sign written in Hebrew that reads 'Sorry' are placed on a bench outside Abu Kabir, the forensic institute where the identification process is being carried out on the four hostage bodies that were handed over by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The security establishment has recommended to the political echelon that the transfer of “the full amount of” aid to Gaza should be halted, and the Rafah border crossing not opened, until the bodies of 24 dead hostages are handed over by Hamas, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

Channel 12 news cites an unnamed official who says that Israel believes that there is no “motivation” for Hamas to return the bodies.

Yesterday, the terror group released 20 living hostages and transferred the bodies of four dead hostages, with 24 bodies still remaining in Gaza.

The families of the hostages have accused the government of evading responsibility and giving up leverage it has on the matter.