UN Presses Israel and Hamas on Rafah Reopening and Phase Two of U.S.-Brokered Gaza Ceasefire After Israel Recovers Final Hostage’s Remains
After Israel said it had recovered the remains of the final hostage and completed the exchanges, the U.N. pressed Israel and Hamas to clarify plans for reopening the Rafah crossing and for moving to phase two of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Israel says Rafah will reopen "for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism," while Hamas and Egypt demand an immediate unrestricted two-way opening; the U.N. is seeking clarity on whether humanitarian and private cargo will be allowed as trucks remain queued and Ali Shaath said the crossing could open this week. Israeli leaders and some U.S. backers publicly credited former President Trump and others for their role in securing the returns.
📌 Key Facts
- Israel has agreed to reopen the Rafah crossing “for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism.” (PBS)
- Hamas demands Rafah be opened in both directions “without restrictions,” and Egypt insists on an immediate two-way opening so Palestinians in Egypt can re-enter Gaza. (PBS)
- Ali Shaath, who heads the new Palestinian committee running Gaza’s daily affairs, says the Rafah crossing is expected to open this week to facilitate movement to and from the enclave. (PBS)
- The UN is pressing for clarity on whether the reopening will permit humanitarian and private cargo as well as people, noting that trucks have been queued outside Rafah for months. (PBS)
- Before the war, Rafah was Gaza’s only non‑Israeli border crossing, handling passenger traffic and Palestinian exports (such as olive oil) into Egypt and the broader Arab market. (PBS)
- Israeli authorities say they have recovered the final hostage’s remains; officials report that all 20 living hostages and all 28 deceased hostages held in Gaza have now been returned to their families. (Fox News)
- Political and public figures publicly credited U.S. involvement in the hostage returns: Steve Witkoff called the outcome a “new day in the Middle East” and credited President Trump; the Hostages and Missing Families Forum thanked Trump personally; Trump posted on Truth Social claiming he recovered the last hostage body; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump, Witkoff, Jared Kushner and their teams for their support. (Fox News)
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 27, 2026
6:01 PM
Witkoff celebrates 'new day in the Middle East' after final Israeli hostage is returned from Gaza
New information:
- Steve Witkoff publicly characterizes the completion of the hostage-and-remains return as the start of a 'new day in the Middle East' and credits President Trump as the key driver.
- Witkoff states that 'ALL 20 living hostages and all 28 deceased hostages in Gaza have now been returned to their families,' putting concrete totals on the completed exchanges and recoveries.
- The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issues a statement thanking Trump personally, saying that without him and his administration 'the hostages would never have come home.'
- Trump posts on Truth Social claiming 'Just recovered the last hostage body in GAZA' and calling the outcome an 'AMAZING JOB,' reinforcing his assertion of personal responsibility.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the Knesset, explicitly thanks Trump, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and their teams 'for their significant and important support' in the hostage process.
5:14 PM
What to know about the Rafah border crossing, Gaza's lifeline to the world that could reopen soon
New information:
- Netanyahu’s office says Israel has agreed to reopen Rafah 'for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism.'
- Hamas publicly demands that Rafah be opened in both directions 'without restrictions,' and Egypt insists on immediate two-way opening so Palestinians in Egypt can re-enter Gaza.
- Ali Shaath, heading the new Palestinian committee running Gaza’s daily affairs, says the crossing is expected to open this week to facilitate movement to and from the enclave.
- The UN is seeking clarity on whether the reopening will allow humanitarian and private cargo as well as people, as trucks have been queued outside Rafah for months.
- The piece details how, before the war, Rafah functioned as Gaza’s only non‑Israeli border crossing, handling both passenger traffic and Palestinian exports like olive oil into Egypt and the broader Arab market.