Israel accused of unilateral decision as it declares Gaza crossing open in one direction

Israel confirmed it received the body of a captive from Gaza through the International Committee of the Red Cross and announced it will permit Palestinians to leave Gaza via the border with Egypt, but not return. The decision followed statements from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who said they would hand over the body at 15:00 GMT on Wednesday, recovered from northern Gaza.

The coffin will be transferred to Israels Health Ministry National Center of Forensic Medicine. After identification, the family will be formally notified, stated the Israeli military.

This announcement comes after Israel reported that previously returned remains were not linked to any of the captives still held in Gaza. The handover is part of a U.S.-brokered plan intended to ease hostilities in the region. Despite ongoing Israeli attacks, a fragile ceasefire remains in effect. Under the truce, the Rafah crossing is supposed to reopen for medical evacuations and travel in both directions.

The World Health Organization reports over 16,500 sick and injured people in Gaza need urgent medical care. The reopening timeline remains uncertain due to disagreements between Israel and Egypt. Israel insists Palestinians cannot return to Gaza until all captives are released, while Egypt requires bidirectional movement.

Since early October, twenty living captives and the remains of 26 others have been returned to Israel. Two bodies still in Gaza include Israeli police officer Ran Gvili and Thai farm worker Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Israels stance has raised concerns about potential permanent displacement of Palestinians, a policy supported by far-right ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government. Egypt denied any agreement for one-way outbound movement at Rafah, emphasizing that all crossings should operate under the ceasefire plan. Egypt is coordinating with the EU and Palestinian Authority to manage border posts when conditions permit.

Hussein Haridy, former Egyptian assistant foreign minister, stressed that Egypt adheres to UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which calls for all crossings to be open. He warned Israel would be held accountable if it fails to comply.

Al Jazeera reporting from the West Bank notes Israel appears to be selectively implementing ceasefire obligations, maintaining control over who may leave, including medical cases, while preventing registered Palestinians from returning to Gaza.

According to Gazas Health Ministry, Israeli actions have resulted in 357 Palestinian deaths in the first 50 days of the truce. Overall, Israels military campaign since October 2023 has killed at least 70,117 Palestinians and injured 170,999. During the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel led by Hamas, 1,139 people were killed and around 200 taken captive.

Analysis: Israel's New Border Policy and Its Implications

Israel's recent decision to allow Palestinians to exit Gaza via the Rafah crossing, but not return, marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict. The move follows the handover of a captive's body by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as part of a broader effort to ease hostilities. While this decision may seem like a step toward peace, it raises critical questions about the future of Palestinian displacement and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Israeli government's stance on border restrictions is not just a security measure but also a political statement. Israel insists that Palestinians cannot return to Gaza until all captives are freed, a policy that aligns with the views of far-right ministers in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. This raises concerns about the possibility of permanent displacement, a situation that could have far-reaching implications for the Palestinian population and the region's stability.

Egypt, however, remains firm in its opposition to this one-way policy, emphasizing that all crossings should remain open in both directions, as outlined by the ceasefire agreement. While Egypt coordinates with the EU and Palestinian authorities to manage border crossings, Israel's selective enforcement of the truce has led to tensions with its neighbors. The conflict has not only worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 16,500 people in urgent need of medical care, but it has also made the return of displaced persons uncertain.

As the conflict continues, the question remains whether Israel will be held accountable for the implementation of ceasefire terms, particularly concerning border movement. The international community, including the UN and Egypt, is monitoring the situation closely, with concerns that Israel's policies could lead to a protracted humanitarian disaster. While temporary ceasefires have been in place, the long-term outlook for Gaza's people remains bleak without a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement.

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• Israel accused of ‘manoeuvring’ as it says Gaza crossing open one way only