Aid trucks entered Gaza on Wednesday as Israel prepared to reopen the Rafah crossing following Hamas’ handover of more bodies of Israeli hostages- following a dispute that had threatened the fragile ceasefire in the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave.
Israel had earlier warned it might keep Rafah closed and restrict aid delivery, accusing Hamas of delaying the return of the bodies.
The militant group later transferred several bodies overnight and two more coffins on Wednesday, allowing plans to resume aid flow and limited movement through Rafah.
An Israeli security official confirmed preparations were underway to open the crossing for Gazan citizens, while another said 600 trucks carrying food, fuel and other supplies were expected to enter the enclave.
US President Donald Trump, who brokered the truce, warned that Washington might allow Israel to resume its offensive if Hamas failed to meet its commitments. “Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word,” he told CNN.
Dispute over bodies
Hamas returned 4 bodies confirmed as hostages on Monday and 4 more late Tuesday, though Israel said one was misidentified. The Israeli military said 2 additional coffins were received from the Red Cross on Wednesday.
A senior US official said the recovery process was slow due to many remains being buried under rubble, but Hamas had pledged to keep searching. Rewards could be offered to civilians for information on burial sites.
Hamas said it had handed over all living hostages and recovered bodies but noted that finding the rest “requires major efforts and special equipment.” Israel, meanwhile, is also returning the remains of 360 Palestinians, with 45 already handed over on Tuesday.
Aid and reconstruction
Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire, with most residents displaced and food shortages worsening. “We returned to find there are no homes at all,” said Gaza resident Moemen Hassanein.
Reuters video footage showed trucks crossing from Egypt into Rafah, carrying aid and fuel. The Palestinian Authority said it was preparing to manage the crossing, with a European Union mission expected to monitor operations.
The UN’s top emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher said 600 trucks per day were a “good start” but insufficient to meet urgent needs.
Despite the aid flow, tensions remain high. Hamas has intensified its crackdown on rival groups, executing several alleged collaborators.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the public executions after a video, authenticated by Reuters, showed masked gunmen shooting dead seven men in a Gaza street.
The US military’s Middle East command urged the group to halt internal violence and disarm. Israeli forces inside Gaza have pulled back to what the truce deal calls a yellow line just outside the main cities.
